in•ter•face
Pronunciation: (n.in'tur-fās"v.in'tur-fās", in"tur-fās'), [key]
— n., v., -faced, -fac•ing.
—n.
- a surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases.
- the facts, problems, considerations, theories, practices, etc., shared by two or more disciplines, procedures, or fields of study: the interface between chemistry and physics.
- a common boundary or interconnection between systems, equipment, concepts, or human beings.
- communication or interaction: Interface between the parent company and its subsidiaries has never been better.
- 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.
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- equipment or programs designed to communicate information from one system of computing devices or programs to another.
- any arrangement for such communication.
—v.t.
- to bring into an interface.
- to bring together; connect or mesh: The management is interfacing several departments with an information service from overseas.
—v.i.
- to be in an interface.
- to function as an interface.
- 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.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.