I. ˈsərˌchärj, ˈsə̄ˌchȧj, ˈsəiˌchȧj sometimes ˌsərˈ- or sə̄ˈ- or səiˈ- transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English surchargen, from Middle French surcharger, from sur- + charger, chargier to charge — more at charge
1.
a. : to charge too much : subject to an excess or burdensome charge or tax : overcharge
b. : to charge (one) an extra or additional fee usually for some special service
c. : to show an omission in (an account) for which credit ought to have been given
d. Britain : to charge (as one of the members) for an expense incurred outside statutory limitations by a local government body : charge (a public official) for monies improperly spent
2. Britain : overstock ; especially : to put more cattle into (as a common) than a person has a right to do or more than the herbage will sustain
3.
a. obsolete : to weigh down in the manner of a physical burden : bear heavily upon
the greatest affairs surcharge him … not — Robert Leighton
b. : to fill to overflowing : oppress , overwhelm
the atmosphere … was surcharged with war hysteria — H.A.Chippendale
surcharged with pent-up feelings, she wrote — Louis Untermeyer
c. : to fill to excess : overcrowd — usually used in passive
the hospital wards are surcharged
4.
a. : to place an additional and usually excessive physical weight or burden upon : overburden , overload
b. archaic : surfeit
c. : to impregnate to repletion : give an excessive charge to
winds blowing from the sea are generally surcharged with moisture — Charles Lyell
5.
a. : to add a new denomination figure to or to mark a surcharge on (a stamp)
the 1 c stamp was surcharged 3 c
the 2 c stamps were surcharged to supply a shortage of another denomination
b. : overprint
surcharge a stamp
surcharge a banknote
6. : to charge (a bearing) upon another heraldic bearing
on a pointed oval shield … is surcharged a kite-shaped shield — Allan Marquand
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : the action of surcharging a common
2.
a. : a charge in excess of the usual or normal amount : an additional tax, cost, or impost
the 10 percent surcharge on postal cards purchased in quantities of 50 or more — Publishers' Weekly
b. : an additional rate added to the usual charge in transportation
a surcharge for jet airplane service
a sleeping car surcharge
c.
(1) : an instance of surcharging an account
(2) : a statement of such surcharging
3. : an additional and usually excessive charge, load, burden, or supply
4. : the action of surcharging or the state of being surcharged
5.
a.
(1) : an overprint on a stamp ; specifically : one that alters the denomination
(2) : a stamp bearing such an overprint
b. : an overprint on a currency note
6. : the earth behind a retaining wall and above a horizontal plane at the elevation of the top of the wall