noun
- a large mass of or as of moving water; wave; swell; billow
- such waves or billows collectively or in a series
- a movement of or like that of a mass of water; violent rolling, sweeping, or swelling motion: the surge of the sea
- a sudden, sharp increase of electric current or voltage in a circuit
- any sudden, strong increase, as of energy, enthusiasm, etc.
- Naut.
- the concave part of a capstan or windlass, upon which the rope surges, or slips
- such a surging, or slipping
Origin:
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, surging
- to have a heavy, violent swelling motion; move in or as in a surge or surges
- to rise and fall or be tossed about on waves, as a ship
- to increase suddenly or abnormally: said of electric current or voltage
- to slip, as a rope or cable on a capstan or windlass
Origin:
< OFr sourg-, stem of sourdre: see surgethe
transitive verb
to slacken or release (a rope or cable) suddenly