interface

interface
n. /in"teuhr fays'/; v. /in"teuhr fays', in'teuhr fays"/, n., v., interfaced, interfacing.
n.
1. a surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases.
2. the facts, problems, considerations, theories, practices, etc., shared by two or more disciplines, procedures, or fields of study: the interface between chemistry and physics.
3. a common boundary or interconnection between systems, equipment, concepts, or human beings.
4. communication or interaction: Interface between the parent company and its subsidiaries has never been better.
5. a thing or circumstance that enables separate and sometimes incompatible elements to coordinate effectively: The organization serves as an interface between the state government and the public.
6. Computers.
a. equipment or programs designed to communicate information from one system of computing devices or programs to another.
b. any arrangement for such communication.
v.t.
7. to bring into an interface.
8. to bring together; connect or mesh: The management is interfacing several departments with an information service from overseas.
v.i.
9. to be in an interface.
10. to function as an interface.
11. to meet or communicate directly; interact, coordinate, synchronize, or harmonize (often fol. by with): The two communications systems are able to interface with each other.
[1880-85; INTER- + FACE]

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(as used in expressions)
Common Gateway Interface.
Musical Instrument Digital Interface
Small Computer System Interface

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      surface separating two phases of matter, each of which may be solid, liquid, or gaseous. An interface is not a geometric surface but a thin layer that has properties differing from those of the bulk material on either side of the interface. A common interface is that between a body of water and the air, which exhibits such properties as surface tension, by which the interface acts somewhat like a stretched elastic membrane. Interfacial effects, or processes that occur at interfaces, include the evaporation of liquids, the action of detergents and chemical catalysts, and the adsorption of gases on metals.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • interface — [ ɛ̃tɛrfas ] n. f. • v. 1960; mot angl. d o. lat.→ face 1 ♦ Phys., chim. Surface de séparation entre deux états distincts de la matière. 2 ♦ Techn. Limite commune à deux ensembles ou appareils. Spécialt Inform. Jonction permettant un transfert d… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Interface — may refer to:in computer science: * Interface (computer science), an abstraction of a software component. * Interface (Java), an abstract type which is used to specify an interface that classes must implement * Network interface, a point of… …   Wikipedia

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  • interface — The use of this word was transformed between the publication of the original OED entry in 1901 and that of the updated entry in OED2 in 1989. To the earlier editors it meant simply ‘a surface lying between two portions of matter or space, and… …   Modern English usage

  • interface — ► NOUN 1) a point where two things meet and interact. 2) chiefly Physics a surface forming a boundary between two portions of matter or space. 3) a device or program enabling a user to communicate with a computer, or for connecting two items of… …   English terms dictionary

  • interface — (del inglés; pronunciamos interféis ) sustantivo masculino 1. Dispositivo que conecta dos aparatos o circuitos y zona en la que se realiza esta conexión: Para usar el fax con el ordenador necesitas un interface …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • Interface — Interface. См. Поверхность раздела. (Источник: «Металлы и сплавы. Справочник.» Под редакцией Ю.П. Солнцева; НПО Профессионал , НПО Мир и семья ; Санкт Петербург, 2003 г.) …   Словарь металлургических терминов

  • interface — The way in which separate computer systems or computer programs interact with each other, or the way in which a computer user interacts with computer software or hardware. Practical Law Dictionary. Glossary of UK, US and international legal terms …   Law dictionary

  • interface — interface, ⊕ interfase → interfaz …   Diccionario panhispánico de dudas

  • interface — 1882 (n.), 1967 (v.), from INTER (Cf. inter ) + FACE (Cf. face). Related: Interfaced; interfacing …   Etymology dictionary

  • interface — s. f. 1.  [Informática] Dispositivo (material e lógico) graças ao qual se efetuam as trocas de informações entre dois sistemas. 2.  [Didático] Limite comum a dois sistemas ou duas unidades que permite troca de informações. 3.  [Por extensão]… …   Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa

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