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
Surge, v. i.
1. To swell; to rise hifg and roll. The surging waters like a mountain rise. Spenser.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: To slip along a windlass.
SURGE
Surge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surged; p. pr. & vb. n. Surging.] Etym:
[Cf. F. surgir to cast anchor, to land. Cf. Surge, n.] (Naut.)
Defn: To let go or slacken suddenly, as a rope; as, to surge a hawser or messenger; also, to slacken the rope about (a capstan).