surface structure

noun

: a formal representation of the phonetic form of a sentence
also : the structure which such a representation describes

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surface structure was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near surface structure

surface soil

surface structure

surface switch

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Surface structure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface%20structure. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on surface structure

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surface structure

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