surface has definitions from the fields of transportation,geology
1
[ noun ] the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

Examples

"there is a special cleaner for these surfaces" "the cloth had a pattern of red dots on a white surface"

Used in print

(The Times-Picayune, [New Orleans]...)

The brush moves up_and_down and is small enough to clean every dental surface , including the back of the teeth .

(Howard Nemerov, "Themes and Methods: The Early...)

It appears that the dominant tendency of Mann 's early tales , however pictorial or even picturesque the surface , is already toward the symbolic , the emblematic , the expressionistic .

(Cornell H. Mayer, "Radio Emission of the Moon...)

The results of present observations of the thermal radio_emission of the moon are consistent with the very low thermal conductivity of the surface layer which was derived from the variation in the infrared_emission during eclipses ( e.g. , Garstung , 1958 ) .

When sufficiently accurate and complete measurements are available , it will be possible to set limits on the thermal and electrical characteristics of the surface and subsurface materials of the moon .

Observations of the radio_emission of a planet which has an extensive atmosphere will probe the atmosphere to_a_greater_extent than those using shorter wave_lengths and should in some cases give otherwise unobtainable information about the characteristics of the solid surface .

2
[ noun ] the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object

Examples

"they skimmed over the surface of the water" "a brush small enough to clean every dental surface" "the sun has no distinct surface"

Used in print

(Harry H. Hull, "The Normal Forces and Their Ther...)

The relative forces can be calculated from the various radii_of_curvature if we assume : ( A ) The surface_tension is uniform on the surface of the drop .

Just as the pressure exerted by surface_tension in a spherical drop is * * f and the pressure exerted by surface_tension on a cylindrical shape is * * f , the pressure exerted by any curved surface is * * f , where �g is the interfacial_tension and * * f and * * f are the two radii_of_curvature .

(Francis J. Johnston and John E. Willard, "The...)

Following observation of the fact that the reaction rates of supposedly identical reaction mixtures prepared on the same filling manifold and exposed under identical conditions often differed by several hundred per_cent , a systematic series of experiments was undertaken to see whether the difficulty could be ascribed to the method of preparing the chlorine , to the effects of oxygen or moisture or to the effect of surface to volume ratio in the reaction tubes .

(J. F. Vedder, "Micrometeorites", in Francis S. J...)

Further , the corpuscular_radiation , i.e. , the solar_wind protons , must sputter away the surface atoms of the dust and cause a slow diminution in size , with a resultant increase in both the Poynting-Robertson effect and the ratio of the repulsive_force to the gravitational_force .

(J. W. C. Hagstrom et al., "Debilitating muscular...)

The valves were normal except for thin yellow plaques on the inferior surface of the mitral leaflets .

3
[ noun ] (geology) the outermost level of the land or sea

Synonyms

Earth's_surface

Examples

"earthquakes originate far below the surface" "three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water"

Used in print

(LeRoy Fothergill, "Biological Warfare", in Peter...)

Neutral or inversion meteorological_conditions are necessary for a cloud to travel_along the surface .

(B. J. D. Meeuse, The Story of Pollination....)

The best chance , of_course , is offered by gently sloping terrain where the water remains close to the surface and where the air is dry , so that a high evaporation leaves salty deposits which permit only sparse plant growth .

(Clayton C. Barbeau, The Ikon....)

Even_so , he could not ease the tension of his body ; the rough surface of the earth itself seemed to resist every attempt on his part to relax .

4
[ noun ] a superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something

Examples

"it was not what it appeared to be on the surface"

Used in print

(Stephen Longstreet, Eagles Where I Walk....)

David_Cortlandt had certain psychic intuitions that this rebellion was not wholly what it appeared on the surface .

Related terms

aspect

5
[ adjective ] involving a surface only

Examples

"her beauty is only skin-deep" "superficial bruising" "a surface wound"

Used in print

(Chicago Daily Tribune...)

Nikolai_Cherkasov , the Russian actor who has played such heroic roles as Alexander_Nevsky and Ivan_the_Terrible , performs the lanky Don_Quixote , and does so with a simple dignity that bridges the inner nobility and the surface absurdity of this poignant man .

Related terms

shallow

6
[ adjective ] on the surface

Examples

"surface materials of the moon"

Used in print

(Jack Kaplan, "The Health Machine Menace: Therapy by...)

Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures , however , believing that any sum they come_up with is only a surface manifestation - turned_up by their inevitably limited policing - of the real loot of the medical racketeer .

7
[ verb ] come to the surface

Synonyms

rise rise_up come_up

Used in print

(Public Papers of the Presidents of the U.S. D. D....)

For_example , the importance of the Regulus_2 , , a very promising aerodynamic ship to surface missile designed to be launched by surfaced submarines , was greatly diminished by the successful acceleration of the much more advanced Polaris ballistic_missile launched by submerged submarines .

8
[ noun ] information that has become public

Synonyms

open

Examples

"all the reports were out in the open" "the facts had been brought to the surface"

Used in print

(Harold Rosenberg, "The Trial and Eichmann"...)

It is not that the facts of the persecution were unavailable ; most_of the information elicited in Jerusalem had been brought to the surface by the numerous War_Crimes tribunals and investigating commissions , and by reports , memoirs , and survivors ' accounts .

Related terms

public_knowledge come_on

9
[ verb ] put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface

Synonyms

coat

Examples

"coat the cake with chocolate"

10
[ noun ] Last name, frequency rank in the U.S. is 7119
11
[ verb ] appear or become visible; make a showing

Examples

"She turned up at the funeral" "I hope the list key is going to surface again"

Related terms

appear open

12
[ noun ] (transportation) a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight
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