/ ˈsɜːfɪs; NAmE ˈsɜːrfɪs/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] the outside or top layer of sth :
an uneven road surface
We'll need a flat surface to play the game on.
Teeth have a hard surface layer called enamel.
a broad leaf with a large surface area
2.
[ C , usually sing. ] the top layer of an area of water or land :
the earth's surface
These plants float on the surface of the water.
3.
[ C ] the flat upper part of a piece of furniture, that is used for working on :
a work surface
She's cleaned all the kitchen surfaces.
4.
[ sing. ] the outer appearance of a person, thing or situation; the qualities that you see or notice, that are not hidden :
Rage bubbled just below the surface of his mind.
•
IDIOMS
- on the surface
—more at scratch verb
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to come up to the surface of water
SYN emerge :
The ducks dived and surfaced again several metres away.
2.
[ v ] to suddenly appear or become obvious after having been hidden for a while
SYN emerge :
Doubts began to surface.
She surfaced again years later in London.
3.
[ v ] ( informal ) to wake up or get up after being asleep :
He finally surfaced around noon.
4.
[ vn ] to put a surface on a road, path, etc.
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from French (from sur- and face ), suggested by Latin superficies .