surging

surge  (sûrj)

v. surged, surg·ing, surg·es

v.intr.

1. To rise and move in a billowing or swelling manner.

2. To roll or be tossed about on waves, as a boat.

3. To move like advancing waves: The fans surged forward to see the movie star.

4. To increase suddenly: As favorable reviews came out, interest in the software surged.

5. To improve one's performance suddenly, especially in bettering one's standing in a competition.

6. Nautical To slip around a windlass. Used of a rope.

v.tr. Nautical

To loosen or slacken (a cable) gradually.

n.

1. A heavy billowing or swelling motion like that of great waves.

2.

a. Wave motion with low height and a shorter period than a swell.

b. A coastal rise in water level caused by wind.

3. The forward and backward motion of a ship subjected to wave action.

4. A sudden onrush: a surge of joy.

5. A period of intense effort that improves a competitor's standing, as in a race.

6. A sudden, transient increase or oscillation in electric current or voltage.

7. An instability in the power output of an engine.

8. Astronomy A brief, violent disturbance occurring during the eruption of a solar flare.

9. Nautical

a. The part of a windlass into which the cable surges.

b. A temporary release or slackening of a cable.

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[Probably French sourdre, sourge- (from Old French) and French surgir, to rise (from Old French, to cast anchor, from Old Catalan), both from Latin surgere, to rise : sub-, from below; see sub- + regere, to lead straight; see reg- in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

surging - characterized by great swelling waves or surges; "billowy storm clouds"; "the restless billowing sea"; "surging waves" billowing, billowy stormy - (especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion; "a stormy day"; "wide and stormy seas"