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Entry 9 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Surface

/sẽrf'-əs/ · Sur·face · IPA /ˈsɜɹ.fəs/
01 n. The exterior part of anything that has length and breadth; one of the limits that bound a solid, esp. the upper face; superficies; the outs…
  1. 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.
    “The bright surface of this ethereous mold.” — Milton.
  2. 2.
    Hence, outward or external appearance.
    “Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no deeper than the surface.” — V. Knox.
  3. 3.
    A magnitude that has length and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane surface; a spherical surface.(Geom.)
  4. 4.
    That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion.(Fort.)
Phrases & compounds
Caustic surface — See under Caustic, Heating, etc.
Surface condensation — See under Condensation, and Condenser.
Surface gauge — 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 — the larva of the great yellow underwing moth (Triphoena pronuba). It is often destructive to the roots of grasses and other plants.
Surface plate — 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.
02 v. t. To give a surface to; especially, to cause to have a smooth or plain surface; to make smooth or plain.
imp. & p. p. Surfaced; p. pr. & vb. n. Surfacing
  1. 1.
    To give a surface to; especially, to cause to have a smooth or plain surface; to make smooth or plain.
  2. 2.
    To work over the surface or soil of, as ground, in hunting for gold.
03 v. i. To rise from the depths of a liquid to the surface; as, the submarine surfaced to recharge its batteries.
  1. 1.
    To rise from the depths of a liquid to the surface; as, the submarine surfaced to recharge its batteries.
  2. 2.
    To become known or public; -- said of information.
  3. 3.
    To show up, as a person who was in hiding; as, he absconded with the payroll and surfaced in Argentina.