surface

surface
1 adjective (only before noun) appearing to be true or real, but not representing what someone really feels or what something is really like; superficial: The surface calm of the city was shattered by a massive explosion. | surface resemblance 2 noun (C)
1 WATER/LAND the top layer of an area of water or land: the Earth's surface | Pieces of trash were floating on the surface of the river. | the surface of the road
2 TOP LAYER the outside or top layer of an object: a frying pan with a non-stick surface
3 on the surface if someone or something is calm, nice etc on the surface, they seem that way until you know them better: On the surface Mrs Lewis seemed nice enough but she had a nasty temper at times.
4 below/beneath/under the surface if an emotion or quality is below, beneath, under the surface, it is not easy to notice at first: I sensed a lot of tension and jealousy beneath the surface.
5 come/rise to the surface if unpleasant feelings or attitudes come or rise to the surface they become noticeable after being hidden: Violence and prejudice have risen to the surface in a lot of inner-city areas.
6 FOR WORKING ON an area on a desk, table etc used for working: Make sure all kitchen surfaces are clean and tidy.
7 SIDE OF AN OBJECT technical one of the sides of an object: How many surfaces does a cube have?
—see also: scratch the surface scratch 1 (7) 3 verb
1 (I) to rise to the surface of water: The bird dived and didn't surface for at least a minute.
2 (I) if information or feelings surface, they become known after being hidden: A few personality clashes have surfaced within the department.
3 (I) humorous to get up, especially after being in bed for a long time: Joe never surfaces before midday on Sunday.
4 (T) to put a surface on a road

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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  • surface — [ syrfas ] n. f. • 1611; superface 1521; lat. superficies → superficie; de sur et face 1 ♦ Partie extérieure (d un corps), qui le limite en tous sens. ⇒ face. La surface de la Terre, la surface terrestre. À la surface du sol. « une surface pure… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Surface — Sur face , n. [F. See {Sur }, and {Face}, and cf. {Superficial}.] 1. The exterior part of anything that has length and breadth; one of the limits that bound a solid, esp. the upper face; superficies; the outside; as, the surface of the earth; the …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • surface — [sʉr′fis] n. [Fr < sur (see SUR 1) + face,FACE, based on L superficies] 1. a) the outer face, or exterior, of an object b) any of the faces of a solid c) the area or extent of such a face …   English World dictionary

  • surface — 1610s, from Fr. surface outermost boundary of anything, outside part (16c.), from O.Fr. sur above + face (see FACE (Cf. face)). Patterned on L. superficies surface (see SUPERFICIAL (Cf. superficial)). The verb meaning come to the surface is first …   Etymology dictionary

  • surface — ► NOUN 1) the outside part or uppermost layer of something. 2) the upper limit of a body of liquid. 3) outward appearance as distinct from less obvious aspects. ► ADJECTIVE 1) relating to or occurring on the surface. 2) (of transportation) by sea …   English terms dictionary

  • Surface — Sur face, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Surfaced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Surfacing}.] 1. To give a surface to; especially, to cause to have a smooth or plain surface; to make smooth or plain. [1913 Webster] 2. To work over the surface or soil of, as ground, in …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • surface — [adj] external apparent, covering, depthless, exterior, facial, outer, outside, outward, shallow, shoal, superficial, top; concepts 485,583 Ant. central, core, inside, interior, middle surface [n] external part of something area, cover, covering …   New thesaurus

  • surface — Surface. subst. f. L exterieur, le dehors d un corps. Surface platte, unie, raboteuse. la surface de la terre …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Surface — Sur face, v. i. 1. To rise from the depths of a liquid to the surface; as, the submarine surfaced to recharge its batteries. [PJC] 2. To become known or public; said of information. [PJC] 3. To show up, as a person who was in hiding; as, he… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Surface — (fr., spr. Sürfahs), die Oberfläche …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • surface — index bare, cursory, dimension, emerge, issue (send forth), ostensible, side, superficial …   Law dictionary

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