interface

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɪntəfeɪs/ (UK); /ˈɪn(t)ɚˌfeɪs/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from inter- and face, a surface.^[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

A plane surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies: 1874 in Etymonline, 1882 in Barnhart, the OED and MWU;^[2][3][5][4] interfacial is earlier, from 1837.^[3]

Semantic evolution

Etymonline suggests that modern use is perhaps a re-coinage of about 1960.^[2] A place of interaction between two systems or organizations is from 1962, used by Marshall McLuhan,^[2][5][4] and an apparatus connecting two scientific instruments or devices from 1964.^[5][2] The verb, to come into interaction with, is from 1967,^[3][5] and to connect equipment from 1969.^[5]

Timeline

• 1837 – interfacial.^[3]
• 1882 – a common boundary.^[3]
• 1962 – a point of interaction.^[5]
• 1964 – a connecting device.^[5]
• 1967 – the verb.^[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A surface forming the common boundary between two bodies, substances or phases.
2. A point where separate systems or groups meet and interact.
3. (computing) The point of interaction between a computer and another device or a user, or the circuit or program that links them.

Verb

1. To connect by means of an interface.
2. To interact or work together smoothly.

Word family

• interfacial
• graphical user interface

Related words

• face
• surface

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d e f g Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
4. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press