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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Surcharge

Sur-chârge', v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SURCHARGED; p. pr. & vb. n. SURCHARGING.] [Fr. surcharger. See SUR and CHARGE.]

Sense 1. To overload; to overburden; as, to surcharge a beast or a ship; to surcharge a cannon.

Your head reclined, as hiding grief from view, Droops like a rose surcharged with morning dew. Dryden.

Sense 2. (Law.) (a.) To overstock; especially, to put more cattle into, as a common, than the person has a right to do, or more than the herbage will sustain. Blackstone. (b.) (Equity.) To show an omission in (as in an account) for which credit ought to have been given. Story. Daniell.

Sur-chärge', n.

noun

n. [Fr. surcharge. See supra.] 1. An excessive load or burden; a load greater than can be well borne.

A numerous nobility causeth poverty and inconvenience in a state, for it is surcharge of expense. Bacon.

Sense 2. (Law.) (a.) The putting, by a commoner, of more beasts on the common than he has a right to. (b.) (Equity.) The showing, as an omission in an account for which credit ought to have been given. Burrill.