upper surface
1
2.8
- noun
:
superficie superior
- The upper surface of the table is polished to a high shine.
- a smooth upper surface
Examples
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The gardener examined the upper surface of the leaves for signs of pests.
-
She carefully painted the upper surface of the model airplane.
-
In other words, the upper surface of the wing just lifted off.
-
The upper surface was covered in hieroglyphs similar to those in the outer chamber.
Fiction book (1999) -
A contour map of the upper surface (Figure 3a) details that structure.
Academic text (1992) -
Seban adds a narrow ridge to separate the rough exterior of the base of the pot from the smooth upper surface.
Academic text (1994) -
Black photostrips on the upper surfaces allowed for glide refueling of the energy cells.
Fiction book (1998) -
The upper surface of the urchins' shells (where the spines were) had fewer holes than other areas.
Academic text (1992) -
In an unconfined aquifer, the upper surface of the saturated zone (water table) is free to rise and decline.
Academic text (2006) -
Nansa Doumbia smooths the upper surfaces of three water jars.
Academic text (1994)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
The upper part or surface of an object
13
2.5
The top surface of something like a box or roof
1
2.2
The upper surface of a thing, like paper or cake
The top surface of an object that faces up
The top surface of a thing like a table
Antonyms
How High
1
2.8
26
2.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the side or part of something that is on or nearest the top' is directly and predictably derived from combining 'upper' (situated toward the top) with 'surface' (the exposed outer/top layer). This adjective+noun composition follows a standard, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the MWE.
Etymology
Upper surface comes from putting upper and surface together to name the part of a thing that is on or nearest the 'top'. So, when dust settles or painters clean that side, they are working on the upper surface, which is why the phrase means the 'top' side of something.