A sturdy fabric that is woven with a diagonal stripe in it: "My mother made me a serge skirt to go with my new coat."

1. To rise and fall in a sudden and excessive manner: "After the storm, we were afraid that the waves would surge against the shore, causing flooding."
  2. To move like advancing waves: "We could see the fans surge forward to see the movie star."

1. Characterized by an unexpected and sudden fluctuation or rise and fall: "There was an unexpected surge in the electrical power last night."
2. A sudden spontaneous or planned increase in an activity: "President Barack Obama is set to formally authorize the dispatch of additional U.S. combat troops to Afghanistan, the beginning stage of a military surge that will likely add many more military personnel over the next year or more, doubling the U.S. occupation forces."