Interface

[noun in-ter-feys; verb in-ter-feys, in-ter-feys] /noun ˈɪn tərˌfeɪs; verb 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.
computer hardware or software designed to communicate information between hardware devices, between software programs, between devices and programs, or between a device and a user.
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.
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)

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

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

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)