SURFACE


Meaning of SURFACE in English

/ 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 .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.