Surge (?), n. [L. surgere, surrectum, to raise, to rise; sub under + regere to direct: cf. OF. surgeon, sourgeon, fountain. See Regent, and cf. Insurrection, Sortie, Source.]
1.
A spring; a fountain.
[Obs.] "Divers
surges and springs of water."
Ld. Berners.
2.
A large wave or billow; a great, rolling swell of water, produced generally by a high wind.
He that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.
James i. 6 (Rev. Ver.)
He flies aloft, and, with impetuous roar,
Pursues the foaming surges to the shore.
Dryden.
3.
The motion of, or produced by, a great wave.
4.
The tapered part of a windlass barrel or a capstan, upon which the cable surges, or slips.
© Webster 1913.
Surge, v. i.
1.
To swell; to rise hifg and roll.
The surging waters like a mountain rise.
Spenser.
2. Naut.
To slip along a windlass.
© Webster 1913.
Surge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Surging (?).] [Cf. F. surgir to cast anchor, to land. Cf. Surge, n.] Naut.
To let go or slacken suddenly, as a rope; as, to surge a hawser or messenger; also, to slacken the rope about (a capstan).
© Webster 1913.