surface
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
How often you will meet it
Rank 1,614 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 11,221 times across 139,755 chapters — 0.005% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary there is a special cleaner for these surfacesthe cloth had a pattern of red dots on a white surface
- the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object they skimmed over the surface of the watera brush small enough to clean every dental surface
- the outermost level of the land or sea also: Earth's surface earthquakes originate far below the surfacethree quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water
- a superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something it was not what it appeared to be on the surface
- information that has become public also: open all the reports were out in the openthe facts had been brought to the surface
- a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight also: airfoil, aerofoil, control surface
verb
- come to the surface also: come up, rise up, rise
- put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface also: coat coat the cake with chocolate
surface in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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All art is at once surface and symbol.
The Picture of Dorian Gray · Oscar Wilde · Chapter 1
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The surface of the pond was covered with the scattered timbers floating idly.
The Riverman · Stewart Edward White · Chapter 1
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One of his sable hounds plunged into it, and the owl skimmed over its surface.
Windsor Castle · William Harrison Ainsworth · Chapter 1
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The past five years had not dealt tenderly with this man of surface hardness and repressed sensibilities.
The great amulet · Maud Diver · Chapter 1
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When he awoke, he found that the boat was floating on the black, glassy surface of an immense underground ocean.
The Firelight Fairy Book · Henry Beston · Chapter 1