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The swell of the sea which breaks upon the shore, esp. upon a sloping beach. Surf bird (Zoöl.), a ploverlike bird of the genus Aphriza, allied to the turnstone. -- Surf clam (Zoöl.), a large clam living on the open coast, especially Mactra, or Spisula, solidissima. See Mactra. -- Surf duck (Zoöl.), any one of several…

of the limits that bound a solid, esp. the upper face; superficies; the outside; as, the surface of the earth; the surface of a diamond; the surface of the body. The bright surface of this ethereous mold. Milton.

The weight supported per square unit of surface; the quotient obtained by dividing the gross weight, in pounds, of a fully loaded flying machine, by the total area, in square feet, of its supporting surface.

That property, due to molecular forces, which exists in the surface film of all liquids and tends to bring the contained volume into a form having the least superficial area. The thickness of this film, amounting to less than a thousandth of a millimeter, is considered to equal the radius of the sphere of molecular act…

A form of machine for dressing the surface of wood, metal, stone, etc.

A boat intended for use in heavy surf. It is built with a pronounced sheer, and with a view to resist the shock of waves and of contact with the beach.

Excess in eating and drinking. Let not Sir Surfeit sit at thy board. Piers Plowman. Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made. Shak.

Water for the cure of surfeits. [Obs.] Locke.

One who surfeits. Shak.

y some to be prepared from the sulphur. [Obs.] She shall no oftener powder her hair, [or] surfel her cheeks, . . . but she shall as often gaze on my picture. Ford.

The surf duck. [U. S.]

One who serves in a surfboat in the life-saving service.

Tired or sore of foot from travel; lamed. [Obs.] Nares.

Consisting of, abounding in, or resembling, surf; as, a surfy shore. Scarce had they cleared the surfy waves That foam around those frightful caves. Moore.

A small plane or surface, usually capable of adjustment but not of manipulation, for preserving lateral balance in an aëroplane or flying machine.

The first of two or more surfaces arranged in tandem; -- contr. with following surface, which is the rear surface.

Having two surfaces; -- said specif. of aëroplane wings or aërocurves which are covered on both sides with fabric, etc., thus completely inclosing their frames.

See Advancing-surface, above.

Having one surface; -- said specif. of aëroplanes or aërocurves that are covered with fabric, etc., on only one side.

Pertaining to the surface or end opposite to the mouth in a radiate animal; -- opposed to actinal. "The aboral or abactinal area." L. Agassiz.