different between surface vs efflorescence

English

Etymology

From French surface.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?s??f?s/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?s??f?s/

Noun

surface (plural surfaces)

1. The overside or up-side of a flat object such as a table, or of a liquid.
2. The outside hull of a tangible object.
3. (figuratively) Outward or external appearance.
   • “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, […].

4. (mathematics, geometry) The locus of an equation (especially one with exactly two degrees of freedom) in a more-than-two-dimensional space.
5. (fortification) That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Stocqueler to this entry?)

Synonyms

• overside
• superfice (archaic)

Derived terms

Related terms

• surficial

Translations

Verb

surface (third-person singular simple present surfaces, present participle surfacing, simple past and past participle surfaced)

1. (transitive) To provide something with a surface.
2. (transitive) To apply a surface to something.
3. (intransitive) To rise to the surface.
4. (transitive) To bring to the surface.
   • 2007, Patrick Valentine, The Sage of Aquarius (page 182)

     Sage went immediately to work; Damien surfaced the submarine and readied the group to meet outside the hatch.

5. (intransitive) To come out of hiding.
6. (intransitive) For information or facts to become known.
7. (transitive) To make information or facts known.
8. (intransitive) To work a mine near the surface.
9. (intransitive) To appear or be found.

Translations

French

Etymology

sur- +? face, calque of Latin superficies.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sy?.fas/
• Homophones: surfaces, surfacent

Noun

surface f (plural surfaces)

1. surface

Derived terms

Further reading

• “surface” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French efflorescence, from Latin efflorescere, which was from ex- (“out”) +? florescere (“to blossom”).

Noun

efflorescence (countable and uncountable, plural efflorescences)

1. (chemistry) The formation of a powdery surface on crystals, as a hydrate is converted to anhydrous form by losing loosely bound water of crystallization to the atmosphere.
2. (botany) The production of flowers.
3. (construction) An encrustation of soluble salts, commonly white, deposited on the surface of stone, brick, plaster, or mortar; usually caused by free alkalies leached from mortar or adjacent concrete as moisture moves through it.
4. (geology) An encrustation of soluble salts, deposited on rock or soil by evaporation; often found in arid or geothermal environments.
5. (figuratively) Rapid flowering of a culture or civilisation etc.
6. (pathology) A redness, rash, or eruption on the skin.

Derived terms

• effloresce
• efflorescent

Translations

French

Noun

efflorescence f (plural efflorescences)

1. efflorescence