surface structure

noun Linguistics. (in transformational-generative grammar)

a structural representation of the final syntactic form of a sentence, as it exists after the transformational component has modified a deep structure.Compare deep structure.
the string of words that is actually produced.

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salute
to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.
to wield power; exercise rule.
to express respect or praise for; honor; commend.
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Origin of surface structure

First recorded in 1960–65

Words nearby surface structure

surface of light and shade, surface of projection, surface of revolution, surface plate, surface road, surface structure, surface tension, surface wave, surface-active, surface-active agent, surface-printing
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for surface structure

surface structure

noun

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 structureCompare deep structure
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012