GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Surface (?), 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 surface of a diamond; the surface of the body”.
   
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   The bright surface of this ethereous mold. Milton.
   
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   2. Hence, outward or external appearance.
   
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   Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no deeper than the surface. V. Knox.
   
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   3. (Geom.) A magnitude that has length and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, “a plane surface; a spherical surface”.
   
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   4. (Fort.) That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion.  Stocqueler.
   
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   Caustic surface, Heating surface, etc. See under Caustic, Heating, etc. -- Surface condensation, Surface condenser. See under Condensation, and Condenser. -- Surface gauge (Mach.), an instrument consisting of a standard having a flat base and carrying an adjustable pointer, for gauging the evenness of a surface or its height, or for marking a line parallel with a surface. -- Surface grub (Zool.), the larva of the great yellow underwing moth (Triphoena pronuba). It is often destructive to the roots of grasses and other plants. -- Surface plate (Mach.), a plate having an accurately dressed flat surface, used as a standard of flatness by which to test other surfaces. -- Surface printing, printing from a surface in relief, as from type, in distinction from plate printing, in which the ink is contained in engraved lines.
   
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2.       
   Surface (?), 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.
   
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   2. To work over the surface or soil of, as ground, in hunting for gold.
   
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3.       
   Surface (?), v. i.
   1. To rise from the depths of a liquid to the surface; as, “the submarine surfaced to recharge its batteries”.
   
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   2. To become known or public; -- said of information.
   
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   3.  To show up, as a person who was in hiding; as, “he absconded with the payroll and surfaced in Argentina”.
   
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