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.
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2. A large wave or billow; a great, rolling swell of water, produced generally by a high wind.
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He that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. James i. 6 (Rev. Ver.)
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He flies aloft, and, with impetuous roar,
Pursues the foaming surges to the shore. Dryden.
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3. The motion of, or produced by, a great wave.
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4. The tapered part of a windlass barrel or a capstan, upon which the cable surges, or slips.
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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).
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