Surcharge — Defs

01 v. t. To overload; to overburden; to overmatch; to overcharge; as, to surcharge a beast or a ship; to surcharge a cannon.

imp. & p. p. Surcharged; p. pr. & vb. n. Surcharging

1.
To overload; to overburden; to overmatch; to overcharge; as, to surcharge a beast or a ship; to surcharge a cannon.
“Four charged two, and two surcharged one.” — Spenser.

“Your head reclined, as hiding grief from view, Droops like a rose surcharged with morning dew.” — Dryden.
2.
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.(Law)
3.
To print or write a surcharge on (a postage stamp).

02 n. An overcharge; an excessive load or burden; a load greater than can well be borne.

1.
An overcharge; an excessive load or burden; a load greater than can well be borne.
“A numerous nobility causeth poverty and inconvenience in a state, for it is surcharge of expense.” — Bacon.
2.
The putting, by a commoner, of more beasts on the common than he has a right to.(Law)
3.
A charge over the usual or legal rates.(Railroads)
4.
Something printed or written on a postage stamp to give it a new legal effect, as a new valuation, a place, a date, etc.; also (Colloq.), a stamp with a surcharge.[Colloq.]