superficial

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of little substance or significance

   a few superficial editorial changes

2. 2
   adj

   of, affecting, or being on or near the surface

   superficial measurements

3. 3
   adj

   Not thorough, deep, or complete; concerned only with the obvious or apparent.

   Secondly, I continue to base my concepts on intensive study of a limited suite of collections, rather than superficial study of every packet that comes to hand.

4. 4
   adj

   Denoting a quantity of a material expressed in terms of area covered rather than linear dimension or volume.

   one superficial foot

5. 5
   noun

   A surface detail.

   He always concentrates on the superficials and fails to see the real issue.

6. 6
   adj

   concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious

7. 7
   adj

   Existing, occurring, or located on the surface.

8. 8
   adj

   Appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely.

Etymology

Borrowing from Late Latin superficiālis (“of or belonging to the surface”), from superficiēs (“top, surface”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix).