surge

I. verb (surged; surging) Etymology: earlier, to ride (at anchor) probably in part from Middle French sourgir to cast anchor, land, from Catalan surgir to heave, cast anchor, from Latin surgere to rise, spring up; from sub- up + regere to lead straight; in part from Latin surgere — more at sub-, right Date: 1511 intransitive verb 1. to rise and fall actively ; toss <

a ship surging in heavy seas

> 2. to rise and move in waves or billows ; swell <

the sea was surging

> 3. to slip around a windlass, capstan, or bitts — used especially of a rope 4. to rise suddenly to an excessive or abnormal value <

the stock market surgeed to a record high

> 5. to move with a surge or in surges <

felt the blood surging into his face — Harry Hervey

> <

she surged past the other runners

> transitive verb to let go or slacken gradually (as a rope) II. noun Date: 1520 1. a swelling, rolling, or sweeping forward like that of a wave or series of waves <

a surge of interest

> 2. a. a large wave or billow ; swell b. (1) a series of such swells or billows (2) the resulting elevation of water level 3. a. a movement (as a slipping or slackening) of a rope or cable b. a sudden jerk or strain caused by such a movement 4. a transient sudden rise of current or voltage in an electrical circuit