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 surface of a
diamond; the surface of the body.
The bright surface of this ethereous
mold.
Milton.
2. Hence, outward or external
appearance.
Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no deeper
than the surface.
V. Knox.
3. (Geom.) A magnitude that has length
and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane
surface; a spherical surface.
4. (Fort.) That part of the side which
is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest
bastion. Stocqueler.
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 (Zoöl.),
the larva of the great yellow underwing moth (Triphœna
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.
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.
2. To work over the surface or soil of, as
ground, in hunting for gold.
{ Adjusting plane or surface. }
(Aëronautics) A small plane or surface, usually
capable of adjustment but not of manipulation, for preserving lateral
balance in an aëroplane or flying machine.
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 surface of a
diamond; the surface of the body.
The bright surface of this ethereous
mold.
Milton.
2. Hence, outward or external
appearance.
Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no deeper
than the surface.
V. Knox.
3. (Geom.) A magnitude that has length
and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane
surface; a spherical surface.
4. (Fort.) That part of the side which
is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest
bastion. Stocqueler.
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 (Zoöl.),
the larva of the great yellow underwing moth (Triphœna
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.
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.
2. To work over the surface or soil of, as
ground, in hunting for gold.
{ Adjusting plane or surface. }
(Aëronautics) A small plane or surface, usually
capable of adjustment but not of manipulation, for preserving lateral
balance in an aëroplane or flying machine.
