# surge

Pronunciation: say "SURJ" US /sɝd͡ʒ/, UK /sɜːd͡ʒ/

## Noun

1. A sudden, short-lived rush, flood, or increase in something.
   - Simple: A sudden, strong increase or rush of something.
   - _The festival saw a surge in visitors over the holiday weekend._
   - _A surge of adrenaline helped her finish the race._
4. A sudden spike or increase in voltage and current in an electrical system.
   - Simple: A sudden jump in the electricity flowing through wires.
   - _The lightning strike caused a surge that damaged several appliances._
   - _Engineers installed devices to absorb voltage surges along the line._
5. A rapid deployment of personnel in large numbers at short notice. *(US)*
   - Simple: A fast move of many soldiers or workers into an area when they are needed quickly.
   - _The administration approved a troop surge to stabilize the region._
   - _A surge of reinforcements arrived within forty-eight hours._
6. The swell or heaving motion of the sea.
   - Simple: The rising and falling movement of the sea.
   - _The vessel rode the surge as long swells rolled beneath the hull._
   - _Each surge of the open sea heaved the ship up and down._
7. The maximum extent of a vehicle's forward-and-backward oscillation.
   - Simple: The greatest distance a vehicle rocks forward and backward.
   - _The sensors recorded the surge as the truck braked sharply._
   - _Designers worked to reduce the surge felt by passengers during acceleration._
8. A momentary reversal of airflow through a jet engine's compressor, caused by disrupted intake air and marked by loud bangs, flames, and a brief loss of thrust.
   - Simple: A sudden backward burst of air in a jet engine that causes loud bangs and flames.
   - _The crew reported a compressor surge shortly after takeoff._
   - _A surge sent a burst of flame from the intake and the thrust dropped._
10. The tapered section of a windlass barrel or capstan on which the cable slips.
   - Simple: The narrow, tapered part of a ship's winch where the rope can slip.
   - _The cable rode over the surge as the crew eased the tension._
   - _He guided the line onto the surge of the windlass barrel._

## Verb

2. To rush forward, flood, or increase suddenly.
   - Simple: To rise, flow, or grow stronger all at once.
   - _Fans surge forward as the gates open._
   - _Donations surged in the hours after the appeal aired._
3. To accelerate forward, especially in a sudden burst.
   - Simple: To move forward faster all of a sudden.
   - _The boat surged forward as the engine roared to life._
   - _Sprinters surge from the blocks the instant they hear the gun._
9. Of a jet engine, to undergo a momentary reversal of airflow through the compressor when the intake air is disrupted.
   - Simple: To suddenly push air the wrong way through a jet engine, causing loud bangs.
   - _The engine surged violently as the aircraft climbed steeply._
   - _Compressors can surge when the intake airflow becomes unstable._
11. To slacken or let out a line, easing its tension.
   - Simple: To let out or loosen a rope on a ship.
   - _The crew surged the cable as the anchor settled._
   - _Surge the mooring line to give the boat more slack._

## Noun

12. A spring or fountain; a natural source of water rising from the ground. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A natural source of water that rises up from the ground.
   - _The pilgrims rested beside a surge that welled from the rocks._
   - _A sweet surge rose from the ground and fed the little stream._

## Origin

From Middle English 'surgen', possibly via Middle French 'sourgir' and Old French 'surgir' ('to rise, arrive, land'), going back to Latin 'surgo' ('lift up, rise'), a contraction of 'subrigo', from 'sub' ('up from below') plus 'rego' ('to stretch'). It is ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to straighten', and is a doublet of 'source'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/surge (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).