Surge
Pronunciation
- enPR: sûrj
- US IPA: /sÉdÊ’/
- UK IPA: /sÉœËdÊ’/
- Rhymes: -ÉœË(r)dÊ’
- Homophones: serge
Origin
From Middle English surgen, possibly from Middle French sourgir, from Old French surgir ("to rise, ride near the shore, arrive, land"), from Old Catalan surgir, from Latin surgere, contr. of surrigere, subrigere ("transitive lift up, raise, erect; intransitive rise, arise, get up, spring up, grow, etc."), from sub ("under") + regere ("to stretch"); see regent.
Full definition of surge
Noun
surge
(plural surges)- A sudden transient rush, flood or increase.
- 2012, November 7, Matt Bai, Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds, As President Obama turns his attention once again to filling out a cabinet and writing an Inaugural Address, this much is clear: he should not expect to bask in a surge of national unity, or to witness a crowd of millions overrun the Mall just to say they were there.
- The maximum amplitude of a vehicle's forward/backward oscillationHe felt a surge of excitement.
- (electricity) A sudden electrical spike or increase of voltage and current.A power surge at that generator created a blackout across the whole district.
- (nautical) The swell or heave of the sea. (FM 55-501).
- Bible, James i. 6He that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.
- DrydenHe flies aloft, and, with impetuous roar,
Pursues the foaming surges to the shore. - (obsolete) A spring; a fountain.
- Ld. Bernersdivers surges and springs of water
- The tapered part of a windlass barrel or a capstan, upon which the cable surges, or slips.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Verb
- (intransitive) To rush, flood, or increase suddenly.
- 2013-03, David S. Senchina, Athletics and Herbal Supplements, Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent.
- Toaster sales surged last year.
- To accelerate forwards, particularly suddenly.A ship surges forwards, sways sideways and heaves up.
- 2011, September 2, , Wales 2-1 Montenegro, Wales began the second half as they ended the first, closing down Montenegro quickly and the pressure told as Bale surged into the box and pulled the ball back for skipper Ramsey, arriving on cue, to double their lead.
- (transitive, nautical) To slack off a line.