*surfac*

. (Aëronautics) The first of two or more surfaces arranged in tandem; -- contr. with following surface, which is the rear surface. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Having two surfaces; -- said specif. of aëroplane wings or aërocurves which are covered on both sides with fabric, etc., thus completely inclosing their frames. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. (Aëronautics) See Advancing-surface, above. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adj. paved; -- of roads. Opposite of unpaved. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Having one surface; -- said specif. of aeroplanes or aerocurves that are covered with fabric, etc., on only one side. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The bright surface of this ethereous mold. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, outward or external appearance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no deeper than the surface. V. Knox. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Geom.) A magnitude that has length and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane surface; a spherical surface. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Fort.) That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion. Stocqueler. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To work over the surface or soil of, as ground, in hunting for gold. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To rise from the depths of a liquid to the surface; as, the submarine surfaced to recharge its batteries. [ PJC ]

2. To become known or public; -- said of information. [ PJC ]

3. To show up, as a person who was in hiding; as, he absconded with the payroll and surfaced in Argentina. [ PJC ]

. (Aeronautics) The weight supported per square unit of surface; the quotient obtained by dividing the gross weight, in pounds, of a fully loaded flying machine, by the total area, in square feet, of its supporting surface. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A form of machine for dressing the surface of wood, metal, stone, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]