'Surface plate' definitions:

Definition of 'Surface plate'

From: GCIDE

Surface \Sur"face`\, n. [F. See Sur-, and Face, and cf. Superficial.]
1. The exterior part of anything that has length and breadth; one 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. [1913 Webster]
The bright surface of this ethereous mold. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. Hence, outward or external appearance. [1913 Webster]
Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no deeper than the surface. --V. Knox. [1913 Webster]
3. (Geom.) A magnitude that has length and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane surface; a spherical surface. [1913 Webster]
4. (Fort.) That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion. --Stocqueler. [1913 Webster]
Caustic surface, Heating surface, etc. See under Caustic, Heating, etc.
Surface condensation, Surface condenser. See under Condensation, and Condenser.
Surface gauge (Mach.), an instrument consisting of a standard having a flat base and carrying an adjustable pointer, for gauging the evenness of a surface or its height, or for marking a line parallel with a surface.
Surface grub (Zool.), the larva of the great yellow underwing moth (Triphoena pronuba). It is often destructive to the roots of grasses and other plants.
Surface plate (Mach.), a plate having an accurately dressed flat surface, used as a standard of flatness by which to test other surfaces.
Surface printing, printing from a surface in relief, as from type, in distinction from plate printing, in which the ink is contained in engraved lines. [1913 Webster]