I. ˈsər-fəs noun
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from sur- + face face, from Old French — more at face
Date: circa 1600
1. : the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body
on the surface of the water
the earth's surface
2. : a plane or curved two-dimensional locus of points (as the boundary of a three-dimensional region)
plane surface
surface of a sphere
3.
a. : the external or superficial aspect of something
trouble lurks below the surface
b. : an external part or layer
sanded the rough surface s
•
- on the surface
II. adjective
Date: 1642
1.
a. : of, located on, or designed for use at the surface of something
b. : situated, transported, or employed on the surface of the earth
surface mail
surface vehicles
2. : appearing to be such on the surface only : superficial
surface friendships
III. verb
( sur·faced ; sur·fac·ing )
Date: 1778
transitive verb
1. : to give a surface to: as
a. : to plane or make smooth
b. : to apply the surface layer to
surface a highway
2. : to bring to the surface
surface a sunken ship
intransitive verb
1. : to work on or at the surface
2. : to come to the surface
3. : to come into public view : show up
letters that have recently surfaced
• sur·fac·er noun