surface structure

American  

noun

Linguistics.

1. a structural representation of the final syntactic form of a sentence, as it exists after the transformational component has modified a deep structure.

2. the string of words that is actually produced.

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surface structure British  

noun

1. generative grammar a representation of a string of words or morphemes as they occur in a sentence, together with labels and brackets that represent syntactic structure Compare deep structure

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Etymology

Origin of surface structure

First recorded in 1960–65

Compare meaning

How does surface-structure compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• deep structure vs. surface structure

Example Sentences

To reach their conclusion, the scientists studied large craters on Europa, running a variety of models to determine what combination of physical characteristics could have created such a surface structure.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2024

Reef life thrives on hyperbolism, so to speak; the curvy surface structure of coral maximizes nutrient intake, and nudibranchs propel through water with frilly flanges.

From New York Times • Jan. 15, 2024

The surface structure of virions can be observed by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy, whereas the internal structures of the virus can only be observed in images from a transmission electron microscope.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The country already has an orbiter and rover on the way to Mars, known as Tianwen-1, which will study the chemical makeup, magnetic field, and surface structure of the red planet.

From National Geographic • Dec. 16, 2020

It may be assumed that the missing surface structure was circular, probably of brick, had a small door, and was roofed over with thatch or sod for insulation.

From New Discoveries at Jamestown Site of the First Successful English Settlement in America by Cotter, John L.