surface English · revision 2864

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1611, Cotgrave|origins=frm surface}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈsɜː.fɪs/, US /ˈsɝː.fɪs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|surface|t=outermost boundary, outside part]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|fro|sur-|t=above]] and [[m|fro|face]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) modelled on [[la|superficiēs|t=surface, upper side, top]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) the source of [[superficial]].^(Etymonline) The verb is from the noun.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The outer boundary of a body: 1611, in Cotgrave's French–English dictionary,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and the 1610s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates it to about 1600.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The top of the ground is a ''surface'' from 1612, and of water or another liquid from 1625.^(OED 1989) In geometry, an extent of only two dimensions, it is from 1658.^(OED 1989) The figurative sense, “outward appearance”, is by 1725.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The adjective, “on the surface”, is from the 1660s,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and “superficial” from 1828.^(Etymonline) ''Surface tension'' is so called by 1876^(Etymonline) and ''surface-to-air'' missiles by 1950.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The verb meant “to give a smooth surface to” from 1778,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) “to bring to the surface” from 1885, and “to come to the surface”, as of a submarine, from 1898.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1611 – the outer boundary of a body.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1612 – the top of the ground.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1625 – the top of water.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1658 – in geometry.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1725 – outward appearance.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1778 – verb, to give a surface to.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1876 – ''surface tension''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1898 – verb, to come to the surface.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The outer or top boundary of an object, or a layer forming it.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The top of a body of water or of the ground.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' A two-dimensional extent, the boundary of a solid.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Outward [[appearance]]: ''on the surface all was calm''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or on a surface.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # [[superficial|alt=Superficial]]; apparent rather than real.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To rise to the surface; to come into view.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To give a surface to, as by paving.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[surfacer]]

+ * [[air-to-surface]]

+ * [[surface-active]]

+ * [[surface-to-air]]

+ * [[surface-to-surface]]

+ * [[subsurface]]

+ * [[hypersurface]]

+ * [[nonsurface]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[surficial]]

+ * [[face]]

+ * [[superficial]]

+ * [[superficies]]

+ * [[preface]]

+ * [[facet]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}