I. ˈsərj, ˈsə̄j, ˈsəij noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: probably from Middle French sourge-, alteration (influenced by Latin surgere ) of sourj-, stem of sourdre to rise, surge, from Latin surgere to rise, go straight up, from subs- (variant of sub- up) + regere to lead straight, rule — more at sub- , right
1. : a swelling, rolling, or sweeping forward like that of an oncoming billow or series of billows : an onward rush : a violent rising and falling
a surge of interest
intermittent surges enthusiasm
the musketry sounded in long irregular surges — Stephen Crane
the surge of the hills
2.
a. : a large wave or billow : a great rolling swell of water
the sea was rolling in immense surges — R.H.Dana
b. : a series of such swells or billows
3. : the tapered part of a windlass barrel or a capstan on which a cable surges
4.
a. : a movement (as a slipping or slackening) of a rope or cable
b. : a sudden jerk or strain caused by such a movement
5. : a barometric wave apparently independent of and unexplained by existing barometric gradients
6. : a transient variation of current in an electrical circuit (as when a motor is started) : a sudden rise and fall of voltage — compare transient current
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French sourgir, from Old Spanish surgir, from Latin surgere to rise, go straight up
intransitive verb
1. : to rise and fall with much motion : toss on the waves : ride atop the waves
the vessel at anchor surged in the heavy sea
2. obsolete : to rise like a spring from its source or a river from underground
3.
a. : to rise and move in surges, high waves, or great billows : swell in an agitated manner
the sea … surges on its limestone cliffs — Harrison Smith
b. : to rise in a surge : swell or heave with great force
a wave surges
4. : to slip around a windlass, capstan, or bitts — used especially of a rope
5. : to rise suddenly to an excessive or abnormal value : rise to and fall from such a value successively — used especially of current or voltage
6. : to rise, heave, blow, sound, or otherwise move with a surge or in surges
a great glow of … tenderness surged through him — O.E.Rölvaag
the incessant traffic surges past — Margaret Devlin
millions of farmers … surged westward — R.A.Billington
the music of the organ surged through the church
transitive verb
1. : to cause to rise or fall in surges : cause to move in a surge
2. : to let go or slacken gradually (as a rope)
surge a hawser to prevent its parting
Synonyms: see rise