interface

[n. in-ter-feys; v. in-ter-feys, in-ter-feys] /n. ˈɪn tərˌfeɪs; v. ˈɪn tərˌfeɪs, ˌɪn tərˈfeɪs/
noun
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.
  1. equipment or programs designed to communicate information from one system of computing devices or programs to another.
  2. any arrangement for such communication.
verb (used with object), interfaced, interfacing.
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.
verb (used without object), interfaced, interfacing.
9.
to be in an interface.
10.
to function as an interface.
11.
to meet or communicate directly; interact, coordinate, synchronize, or harmonize (often followed by with):
The two communications systems are able to interface with each other.
Origin
1880-85; inter- + face
Examples from the web for interface
  • Supports real-time experience through seamless mind-body interface.
  • It's pretty common that the parents rely on their children to interface with the world.
  • The web interface, however, is not searchable or optimized for a mobile experience.
  • Even after two years, the interface still seems unintuitive.
  • The first is excellent on the cosmology and physics interface and the second is great at debunking pseudoscience lunacy de jour.
  • Once it is installed, users can access it through the printer interface of whatever program they happen to be using.
  • The drag-and-drop interface makes arranging tweets, photos, and videos easy.
  • They will need to engage faculty willing to produce the interface, programming, and illustration templates for nearly nothing.
  • Since then, the biggest changes have come in look and interface.
  • Lantern has a time line that combines all my communications and photos in one neat interface.
British Dictionary definitions for interface

interface

noun (ˈɪntəˌfeɪs)
1.
(chem) a surface that forms the boundary between two bodies, liquids, or chemical phases
2.
a common point or boundary between two things, subjects, etc
3.
an electrical circuit linking one device, esp a computer, with another
verb (ˌɪntəˈfeɪs)
4.
(transitive) to design or adapt the input and output configurations of (two electronic devices) so that they may work together compatibly
5.
to be or become an interface (with)
6.
to be or become interactive (with)
Derived Forms
interfacial (ˌɪntəˈfeɪʃəl) adjective
interfacially, adverb
Word Origin and History for interface

1882 (n.), 1967 (v.), from inter- + face. Related: Interfaced; interfacing.

interface in Medicine

interface in·ter·face (ĭn'tər-fās')
n.
A surface forming a common boundary between adjacent regions or bodies.

interface in Science
interface
  (ĭn'tər-fās')   

  1. The point of interaction or communication between a computer and any other entity, such as a printer or human operator.

  2. The layout of an application's graphic or textual controls in conjunction with the way the application responds to user activity. See more at GUI.


interface in Technology

jargon
A boundary across which two systems communicate. An interface might be a hardware connector used to link to other devices, or it might be a convention used to allow communication between two software systems. Often there is some intermediate component between the two systems which connects their interfaces together. For example, two EIA-232 interfaces connected via a serial cable.
See also graphical user interface, Application Program Interface.
(1996-05-22)

Encyclopedia Article for interface

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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