surge

views updated Jun 11 2018

surge / sərj/ • n. a sudden powerful forward or upward movement, esp. by a crowd or by a natural force such as the waves or tide: flooding caused by tidal surges. ∎  a sudden large increase, typically a brief one that happens during an otherwise stable or quiescent period: the firm predicted a 20% surge in sales. ∎  a powerful rush of an emotion or feeling: Sophie felt a surge of anger. ∎  a sudden marked increase in voltage or current in an electric circuit.• v. [intr.] (of a crowd or a natural force) move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward: the journalists surged forward. ∎  increase suddenly and powerfully, typically during an otherwise stable or quiescent period: shares surged to a record high. ∎  (of an emotion or feeling) affect someone powerfully and suddenly: indignation surged up within her. ∎  (of an electric voltage or current) increase suddenly. ∎  Naut. (of a rope, chain, or windlass) slip back with a jerk.

surge

views updated May 08 2018

surge An expanded, turbulent, dilute flow of gas and pyroclasts. Three main types are currently recognized. Base surges, which are cold and wet, are generated during phreatomagmatic or phreatic eruptions; ground surges, which are hot and dry, are generated from the head of pyroclastic flows; and ash-cloud surges, which are also hot and dry, are generated from the overriding gas and ash cloud above pyroclastic flows.

surge

views updated May 18 2018

surge2 †toss or ride on the waves; †rise, spring; swell or heave, as a large wave XVI; (naut.) slip back, as a rope, etc. XVII. f. OF. sourge-, pres. stem of sourdre :- L. surgere rise, beside surrigere, f. SUB- + regere RULE; or — OF. sorgir (mod. surgir) — L. surgere.

Surge

views updated Jun 08 2018

Surge

a high, rolling swell of water.

Examples : surge of buzz of voices, 1891; of contempt, 1602; of low hills, 1863; of lava, 1869; of mishaps, 1583; of passion, 1520; of popular opinion, 1890; of popular resentment, 1834; of schismatics and heretics, 1550; of the sea, 1624; of tears, 1567; of water, 1538.

surge

views updated May 29 2018

surge1 †fountain, source XV; rolling swell of the sea XVI; (naut.) slipping back of a rope wound round a capstan XVIII. In the earliest exx. of the first sense tr. OF. sourgeon (mod. surgeon) and prob. — its base sourge-, pres. stem of sourdre (see next).