† superfice Obs.
[a. OF. superfice or ad. its source, L. superficies.]
1. Geom. = superficies 1.
| c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. i. §21 The zodiak in heuene is ymagened to ben a superfice contienyng a latitude of 12 degrees. c 1643 Ld. Herbert Autobiog. (1824) 44 The knowledge of lines, superfices, and bodies,..is not much useful for a gentleman unless it be to understand Fortifications. 1695 W. Alingham Geom. Epit. 4 The kinds of Magnitude, which are principally Three, to wit, Length, Breadth and Thickness, or a Line, a Superfice, and a Solid. 1823 J. Mitchell Dict. Math. & Phys. Sci., Superficies, or Superfice, in Geometry, the outside or exterior surface of any body. This is considered as of two dimensions, viz. length and breadth, but without thickness. |
2. The surface of a body or object; = superficies 2.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iii. pr. viii. (1868) 81 Þe body of alcibiades þat was ful fayr in þe superfice wiþ oute. 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 56 The superfice of that roundnes is of mair quantite nor is the space or largenes that is betuix his tua een. 1599 A. Hume Hymns iii. 93 The fields, and earthly superfice, With verdure greene is spread. 1636 R. Brathwait Rom. Emp. 276 The whole superfice of the Sea was covered with them. a 1684 Leighton Comm. 1 Pet. i. 2 (1693) 16 [It] doth not wither as the grasse, or flower lying on the superfice of the earth. 1703 Phil. Trans. XXIII. 1401 Hard and perfect Stone..of a Grain and Superfice exactly like those I have seen taken out of the Bladder. 1813 Vancouver Agric. Devon 117 [It] is discharged with such a hollow or concave superfice downwards, as completely to whelm over and invert every square inch of the lifted furrow. |
b. transf. That which forms, or is upon, the surface.
| 1542 Boorde Dyetary xiii. (1870) 265 Euery thyng that is vnctious..doth swymme aboue in the brynkes of the stomacke:..the excesse of suche nawtacyon or superfyce wyll ascende to the or[if]yse of the stomacke. |
3. fig. Outward show or appearance; = superficies 5 c.
| 1678 R. Barclay Apol. Quakers ii. §2. 23 The more Serious..satisfie themselves not with the Superfice of Religion. a 1684 Leighton Comm. 1 Pet. iii. 8 Wks. (1868) 160 This courteousness is not contrary to that evil, only in the superfice and outward behaviour. |