different between surface vs terraforming

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

Verb

terraforming

1. present participle of terraform

Noun

terraforming (uncountable)

1. The hypothetical process of deliberately modifying the atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology of a planet, moon, etc. to make it similar to those of Earth and thus suitable for human life.

Synonyms

• terraformation
• planetary engineering

Coordinate terms

• geoengineering
• pantropy

Related terms

• paraterraforming

Translations