n. 1. An additional sum added to the usual cost or amount paid. 2. An additional or excessive amount or burden: "individuals ... carrying a surcharge of aggressive energy" (Truman Capote). 3. a. A new value or denomination overprinted on a postage or revenue stamp. b. The stamp to which a new value has been applied. 4. Law The act of surcharging. tr.v. sur·charged, sur·charg·ing, sur·charg·es 1. To charge (a person or organization) an additional sum. 2. a. To overload or overfill: clouds that are surcharged with rain. b. To overwhelm or oppress: "He is full of morbid thoughts and surcharged with a sense of worthlessness" (Bernard Lown). 3. To print a surcharge on (a postage or revenue stamp). 4. Law To show an omission of a credit in (an account). [Middle English, from surchargen, to overtax, from Old French surcharger : sur-, sur- + chargier, to charge; see CHARGE.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.