surface

noun

• 1the outside part or uppermost layer of something:the earth’s surface poor road surfaces
• the level top of something:roll out the dough on a floured surface
• (also surface area) the area of an outer part or uppermost layer of something:the surface area of a cube
• the upper limit of a body of liquid:fish floating on the surface of the water
• [in singular] the outward appearance of someone or something, especially as distinct from less obvious aspects:Tom was a womanizer, but on the surface he remained respectable [as modifier]:surface appearances

• 2 Geometry a continuous set of points that has length and breadth but no thickness.

adjective

• relating to or found on the surface of something:surface layers
• denoting ships which travel on the surface of the water as distinct from submarines:the surface fleet
• carried by or denoting transportation by sea or overland rather than by air:surface mail

verb

• 1 [no object] rise or come up to the surface of the water or the ground:he surfaced from his dive
• come to people’s attention; become apparent:the row first surfaced two years ago
• informal (of a person) appear after having been asleep:it was almost 11.30 before Anthony surfaced

• 2 [with object] provide (something, especially a road) with a particular surface:a small path surfaced with terracotta tiles