Dictionary of English - interface

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

This means a surface where two spaces or bodies meet: the interface of air and water. In recent years it has come to be used for an apparatus that connects two devices or systems so that they can work together; in the language of information technology, a device which enables a user to communicate with a computer, or computers to communicate with each other. In this sense interface is also a verb: This machine will interface with most PCs.

Figuratively, interface can refer to almost any boundary: Design is at the interface of art and technology. As a verb it is used to mean 'combine or cooperate with': Your job will be to interface with the marketing department. This sounds like jargon. Before using interface figuratively, ask yourself whether you need to; words such as boundary, border, meeting-place, combine, work with, cooperate will often express the sense just as well.

White was added to the flag to identify Bahrain as a friendly state. Red was the traditional colour of the Kharijite Sect. In 2002 the number of serrations were reduced to five, possibly representing the five pillars of Islam. Effective date: 19 August 1972. >>