1
- the outside part or uppermost layer of something (often used when describing its texture, form, or extent)表面（常用来描述质地, 形状, 大小）：
the earth's surface
地球表面
poor road surfaces.
糟糕的路面。
1.1
- the level top of something平面：
roll out the dough on a floured surface.
把生面团在撒了面粉的平面上擀成片。
1.2
- （亦作surface area）the area of such an outer part or uppermost layer表面积：
the surface area of a cube.
立方体的表面积。
1.3
- in sing. the upper limit of a body of liquid液体的表层：
fish floating on the surface of the water.
漂浮在水面上的鱼。
1.4
- in sing. what is apparent on a casual view or consideration of someone or something, especially as distinct from feelings or qualities which are not immediately obvious（尤指与内在感受或品质不符的）表面：
Tom was a womanizer, but on the surface he remained respectable
汤姆是个玩弄女性的家伙, 但表面上他仍装出一副道貌岸然的样子
as modifier we need to go beyond surface appearances.我们需要透过表面现象。
2
- Geometry a set of points that has length and breadth but no thickness【几何】面。
attrib.
1- of, relating to, or occurring on the upper or outer part of something在上面的; 在外部的：
surface workers at Cornish copper mines.
科尼什铜矿的井上工人。
1.1
- denoting ships which travel on the surface of the water as distinct from submarines水面舰船的（与潜水艇相对）：
the surface fleet.
水面舰队。
1.2
- carried by or denoting transportation by sea or overland as contrasted with by air（与空中运输相对的）水陆运输的：
surface mail.
平邮信件。
1
- no obj. rise or come up to the surface of the water or the ground升到（或出现在）水面（或地面）：
he surfaced from his dive.
他潜水之后浮出水面。
1.1
- come to people's attention; become apparent引起注意; 公开化：
the row first surfaced two years ago.
这场争论最初在两年前就公开化了。
1.2
- informal (of a person) appear after having been asleep〈非正式〉（人）睡醒：
it was almost 11.30 before Anthony surfaced.
安东尼睡醒起来时就快11点半了。
2
- with obj.（常作be surfaced）provide (something, especially a road) with a particular upper or outer layer给…提供特殊的表层（尤指给路铺路面）：
a small path surfaced with terracotta tiles.
铺陶砖的小路。
派生词
surfaced
adjective一个表面光滑的圆柱。
surfacer
noun词源
early 17th cent.: from French （see SUR-1， FACE ）, suggested by Latin superficies.