Surface  —n. 1 a the outside of a thing. B area of this. 2 any of the limits of a solid. 3 top of a liquid or of the ground etc. 4 outward or superficial aspect. 5 geom. Set of points with length and breadth but no thickness. 6 (attrib.) A of or on the surface. B superficial. —v. (-cing) 1 give the required surface to (a road, paper, etc.). 2 rise or bring to the surface. 3 become visible or known. 4 colloq. Wake up; get up.  come to the surface become perceptible. [french: related to *sur-1]