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surge Definition

surge (sʉrj)

noun

    1. a large mass of or as of moving water; wave; swell; billow
    2. such waves or billows collectively or in a series
  2. a movement of or like that of a mass of water; violent rolling, sweeping, or swelling motion the surge of the sea
  3. a sudden, sharp increase of electric current or voltage in a circuit
  4. any sudden, strong increase, as of energy, enthusiasm, etc.
  5. Naut.
    1. the concave part of a capstan or windlass, upon which the rope surges, or slips
    2. such a surging, or slipping

Etymology: LME sourge, fountain, stream, prob. < OFr sourgeon < stem of sourdre, to rise < L surgere, to rise, spring up < *subsregere < subs-, var. of sub- (see sub-) + regere, to direct (see right)

intransitive verb surged, surg′·ing

  1. to have a heavy, violent swelling motion; move in or as in a surge or surges
  2. to rise and fall or be tossed about on waves, as a ship
  3. to increase suddenly or abnormally: said of electric current or voltage
  4. to slip, as a rope or cable on a capstan or windlass

Etymology: < OFr sourg-, stem of sourdre: see surgethe

transitive verb

to slacken or release (a rope or cable) suddenly

surge Synonyms

surge

n.

  1. A wave

    swell, billow, breaker; see surf, wave 1, 2.

  2. A deluge

    rush, swell, roll; see flood 1.

surge Synonyms

surge

v.

  1. To rise

    mount, tower, arise; see climb 2, rise 1, 3.

  2. To swell

    billow, heave, deluge; see grow 1, swell.

surge Telecom Definition
A strong, sudden, and transient spike in voltage or current. See also current and voltage.
surge Telecom Definition
An elevated voltage level lasting longer that a spike. See also ground loop, spike, and voltage.
surge Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • anticipate: Triodos Bank anticipates a surge in applications as investors rush to invest before the share issue closes, possibly in May.

Adjective modifier

  • sudden: The flood came in darkness, with a sudden surge of water.
  • tidal: In times of tidal surges, the gates are shut to keep the water out of the estuary.
  • foreseeable: For example, there are derogations covering ' unforeseeable circumstances and accidents ' and ' foreseeable surges of activity ' .
  • upward: This upward surge has also had the effect of pulling up the rest of the equity markets around the world.
  • hormonal: There is evidence that regular exercise can help to reduce the sudden hormonal surges typical of the stress response.
  • unexpected: Some people find they experience sudden unexpected surges of anxiety.

Modifies a noun

  • protector: You can also buy surge protectors for additional safety.
  • arrestor: Most DIY shops sell stuff like extension leads with ' surge arrestor ' plastered all over them.
  • suppressor: If you do, it can be solved by using a surge suppressor plug at the mains socket where you plug the player in.
  • suppression: Guidance on the use and location of air valves in pipelines for both normal use and surge suppression is included.
  • impedance: The peak primary current can be found by dividing the " fully charged " capacitor voltage by the surge impedance.
  • gully: These communities are similar in character to those of surge gullies which are subject to extreme wave action.

Noun used with modifier

  • storm: Within the next 50 years, the height of storm surges is likely to increase by up to 1.4 meters.
  • adrenaline: Motor Racing Gold Climbing into the cockpit, your adrenaline surges.
  • voltage: The vendor offered to modify the affected units to eliminate the power reset after a voltage surge.

Preposition: in

  • popularity: The flat, low interest rate credit card is surging in popularity among increasingly savvy credit card customers.
  • demand: Response time to the surge in demand approaching Census Day was good.

Preposition: of

  • adrenaline: Loyal Lions fans will experience extreme emotion during the tour, causing surges of adrenaline that will generate significant amounts of sweat.
  • popularity: We've had surges of popularity in the past.
surge Quotes

Moscow†what surge that sound can start In every Russian's inmost heart!

—Pushkin, Aleksandr Sergeyevich

Browse dictionary entries near surge

  1. ‹ surg
  2. ‹ surfy
  3. ‹ surfperch
  4. ‹ surfing
  5. ‹ surficial
  6. ‹ surfeit
  7. ‹ surfboat
  8. ‹ surfboard
  9. ‹ surfbird
  10. ‹ surfactant
  1. surge protector ›
  2. surgeon ›
  3. Surgeon General ›
  4. surgeon's knot ›
  5. surgeonfish ›
  6. surgery ›
  7. surgical ›
  8. surgicenter ›
  9. suricate ›
  10. surimi ›