surge: Meaning and Definition of

surge

Pronunciation: (sûrj), [key]
— n., v., surged, surg•ing.
—n.
  1. a strong, wavelike, forward movement, rush, or sweep: the onward surge of an angry mob.
  2. a strong, swelling, wavelike volume or body of something: a billowing surge of smoke.
  3. the rolling swell of the sea.
  4. the swelling and rolling sea: The surge crashed against the rocky coast.
  5. a swelling wave; billow.
    1. a widespread change in atmospheric pressure that is in addition to cyclonic and normal diurnal changes.
    2. Seestorm surge.
    1. a sudden rush or burst of current or voltage.
    2. a violent oscillatory disturbance.
  6. a slackening or slipping back, as of a rope or cable.
    1. an uneven flow and strong momentum given to a fluid, as water in a tank, resulting in a rapid, temporary rise in pressure.
    2. pulsating unevenness of motion in an engine or gas turbine.
—v.i.
  1. (of a ship) to rise and fall, toss about, or move along on the waves: to surge at anchor.
  2. to rise, roll, move, or swell forward in or like waves: The sea surged against the shore. The crowd surged back and forth.
  3. to rise as if by a heaving or swelling force: Blood surged to his face.
    1. to increase suddenly, as current or voltage.
    2. to oscillate violently.
    1. to slack off or loosen a rope or cable around a capstan or windlass.
    2. to slip back, as a rope.
  4. to move with pulsating unevenness, as something driven by an engine or gas turbine.
—v.t.
  1. to cause to surge or roll in or as in waves.
  2. to slacken (a rope).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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