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.
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.
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).