Superficies

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

superficies
    n 1: the purely external aspect of a thing; superficial
         appearance; "the audience was held by the substance of the
         play rather than by the superficies of the
         production"-R.W.Speaight
    2: outer surface of an area or a body

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Superficies \Su`per*fi"cies\, n. [L., fr. super above, over +
   facies make, figure, shape. See {Surface}.]
   1. The surface; the exterior part, superficial area, or face
      of a thing.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Civil Law)
      (a) Everything on the surface of a piece of ground, or of
          a building, so closely connected by art or nature as
          to constitute a part of it, as houses, or other
          superstructures, fences, trees, vines, etc.
      (b) A real right consisting of a grant by a landed
          proprietor of a piece of ground, bearing a strong
          resemblance to the long building leases granted by
          landholders in England, in consideration of a rent,
          and under reservation of the ownership of the soil.
          --Bouvier. Wharton.
          [1913 Webster]

from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

SUPERFICIES. A Latin word used among civilians. It signifies in the edict of 
the praetor whatever has been erected on the soil, quidquid solo 
inoedificdtum est. Vide Dig. 43, tit. 18, 1. 1 and 2.