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surface

surface

95 6.0
A part of a plane like a wing or flap that helps it move in the air
  • noun
  • /ˈsɜrfɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : superficie aerodinámica
  • Harry runs, gasping for air, bounding across the asteroid surface, dodging geysers and rolling debris.
  • control surface

But you know, it was certainly it had no flight surfaces.

Examples

  • You are connected by pulley and by cable to all the control surfaces.

  • Because the distance over the curved surface of the wing is longer.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The liquid moving over the surface of the aircraft is protected from the extreme wind speeds by what's called a boundary layer.

  • In particular, the nation's capacity for storing surface water is limited and groundwater is being depleted.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The pilot adjusted the aileron on the left wing's control surface to enhance the aircraft's maneuverability.

  • During the flight, the aircraft's control surfaces must respond quickly to maintain stability and altitude.

  • To improve performance, engineers redesigned the surfaces of the wings for better lift during flight.

Synonyms

airfoil
vssurface
  • Specialized
2 8.1

A curved shape like a wing or blade that makes lift when it moves through air

is the aircraft component fixed to a plane rather than a general shaped element
aerofoil
vssurface
  • UK
8.7

A shaped surface like a wing or blade that makes lift when it moves through air

is the aircraft component fixed to a plane rather than any shaped structure

Idioms

To look below the surface to find the real reasons

A feeling that is hidden but easy to notice

Compounds

surface-to-air
  • Specialized
26 6.6

A weapon launched from the ground to hit targets in the air

19 6.3

A weapon launched from the ground or a ship to destroy aircraft in the sky

The outer layer of the Earth that includes land and oceans where life lives

surface area
  • Specialized
15 3.9

The total outside area of a solid object or a specific area inside a border

surface tension
  • Specialized
5 4.3

A force that makes a liquid surface pull together like a skin

4 2.7

A flat surface like a table or countertop where you do work

surface ship
  • Specialized
2 4.9

A military ship that moves and fights on the water's surface, not underwater

2 3.0

The top layer of a road that vehicles drive on

control surface
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A movable part on a plane that the pilot moves to steer or keep it steady

The top side of an object that you can touch or see

A wall or other area that stands straight up from the ground

air-to-surface
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A weapon or missile a plane uses to hit targets on the ground

1 6.7

A weapon that a plane fires to hit a target on the ground

An area of closely cut grass around a golf hole where players hit the ball toward the hole

A flat area covered with hard material like concrete or stones

surface noise
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A soft background sound made when a record player's needle rubs a vinyl record

1 7.9

A set of weapons and equipment that shoots rockets at planes

7.4

A pull at the surface between two liquids that do not mix, like oil and water

A U.S. Navy center that develops and tests weapons and systems for ships

quadric surface
  • Specialized
9.9

A surface in three-dimensional space made by an equation with squared terms in x, y, and z

ruled surface
  • Specialized
9.9

A shape formed when a straight line moves through space

surface fire
  • Specialized
5.5

A forest fire that burns leaves and small plants, not large trees

surface gauge
  • Specialized
9.4

An instrument with a pointed tool on an adjustable stand used to mark and check flat surfaces like metal plates

surface assimilation
  • Specialized
7.9

Small amounts of gas or liquid stick to a solid surface and form a thin layer

surface chemistry
  • Specialized
5.8

The part of science that studies how substances act where two materials meet, like liquid and air

surface condenser
  • Specialized
6.8

A machine in power plants that cools steam from a turbine and turns it into water

surface lift
  • Specialized
5.1

A machine that pulls skiers up a slope while they stay on the ground

surface soil
  • Specialized
3.4

The top layer of ground that has the most plant food

surface-active agent
  • Specialized
6.9

A chemical in soaps and detergents that helps water mix with oil

Letters and packages sent by land or sea instead of by air

surface search radar
  • Specialized
7.0

Equipment on a ship that finds and follows other ships

surface-assimilative
  • Specialized
9.9

Causes liquids or tiny bits to stick to a surface

A smooth, non-stick coating that keeps food from sticking

Surface Forms

surface singular
surfaces plural

Etymology

Surface comes from the Latin parts super- ('above') and face ('face'), and it helps to think of a wing as the 'face' that meets the air; a wing or flap is a kind of surface that the air pushes against. So, in aviation a surface is a part that controls flight by acting against the air.