n.

1. the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
   
   • there is a special cleaner for these surfaces
   • the cloth had a pattern of red dots on a white surface
2. the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object
   
   • they skimmed over the surface of the water
   • a brush small enough to clean every dental surface
   • the sun has no distinct surface
3. the outermost level of the land or sea;
   Earth's surface
   
   • earthquakes originate far below the surface
   • three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water
4. a superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something
   
   • it was not what it appeared to be on the surface
5. information that has become public;
   open
   
   • all the reports were out in the open
   • the facts had been brought to the surface
6. a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight;
   airfoil, aerofoil, control surface

v.

1. come to the surface;
   come up, rise up, rise
2. put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface;
   coat
   
   • coat the cake with chocolate
3. appear or become visible; make a showing;
   come on, come out, turn up, show up
   
   • She turned up at the funeral
   • I hope the list key is going to surface again

adj.

1. on the surface
   
   • surface materials of the moon
2. involving a surface only;
   skin-deep, superficial, surface(a)
   
   • her beauty is only skin-deep
   • superficial bruising
   • a surface wound