1A rain gauge situated at ground level, specifically one with an opening flush with the ground.
2Engineering a gauge for scribing straight lines on a workpiece or checking the height of a point on it, typically consisting of an adjustable scriber mounted on a stand.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Definition of surface gauge in US English:
surface gauge
(USsurface gage)
noun
1A rain gauge situated at ground level, specifically one with an opening flush with the ground.
2Engineering a gauge for scribing straight lines on a workpiece or checking the height of a point on it, typically consisting of an adjustable scriber mounted on a stand.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.