from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Surf \Surf\, n. [Formerly spelled suffe, and probably the same
word as E. sough.]
The swell of the sea which breaks upon the shore, esp. upon a
sloping beach.
[1913 Webster]
{Surf bird} (Zool.), a ploverlike bird of the genus
{Aphriza}, allied to the turnstone.
{Surf clam} (Zool.), a large clam living on the open coast,
especially {Mactra solidissima} (syn. {Spisula
solidissima}). See {Mactra}.
{Surf duck} (Zool.), any one of several species of sea ducks
of the genus {Oidemia}, especially {Oidemia
percpicillata}; -- called also {surf scoter}. See the Note
under {Scoter}.
{Surf fish} (Zool.), any one of numerous species of
California embiotocoid fishes. See {Embiotocoid}.
{Surf smelt}. (Zool.) See {Smelt}.
{Surf whiting}. (Zool.) See under {Whiting}.
[1913 Webster]