The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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deluge

noun

/ˈdɛljuː(d)ʒ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of deluge

A great flood or heavy downpour of rain, often causing widespread damage and destruction.
"The deluge of rain flooded the streets, causing traffic chaos."

Detailed meaning of deluge

The term comes from the Latin word "diluvium", which means "flood". A deluge can refer to a natural disaster, such as a flash flood caused by heavy rain, a hurricane, or a monsoon. It can also be used more generally to refer to any sudden and overwhelming outpouring, such as a deluge of emails, a deluge of customers, or a deluge of criticism.

In literature and popular culture, the term deluge is often used to describe a catastrophic event, such as a great flood as in the biblical story of Noah's Ark, and it is often associated with the end of the world and the apocalypse. The term is also used to describe a situation where something is overwhelmed by a large quantity of something else, such as a deluge of paperwork or a deluge of phone calls.

In a more general sense, deluge can also refer to a great quantity of something that is overwhelming, such as a deluge of information or a deluge of offers. It can also describe a situation where something is flooded with a large amount of something else, such as a deluge of complaints or a deluge of orders.

Example sentences containing deluge

1. The politician was facing a deluge of criticism, as public opinion turned against him.
2. During the hurricane, a deluge of water surged into homes along the coast.
3. The sudden deluge of emails in my inbox overwhelmed me.
4. Farmers were concerned about the deluge damaging their crops.
5. We took shelter under a tree to escape the deluge.
6. The weather forecast predicted a deluge for the weekend.

History and etymology of deluge

The noun 'deluge' has its etymological roots in Latin and French. It originates from the Latin word 'diluvium,' which means 'flood' or 'inundation,' and it is closely related to the verb 'diluere,' which means 'to wash away' or 'to flood.' In the late Middle Ages, the term was borrowed into Middle French as 'deluge,' with a similar meaning. It subsequently entered the English language in the 14th century. 'Deluge' refers to a great flood or a heavy downpour of rain, often causing widespread damage and destruction. Its etymology underscores the overwhelming and destructive nature of floods and heavy rains, as implied by its Latin and French origins, which emphasize the idea of washing away and inundation.

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Further usage examples of deluge

1. The deluge of customers on Black Friday was expected by the store owners.
2. Her speech received a deluge of applause from the audience.
3. The deluge of information online can make it challenging to find accurate sources.
4. The news of the scandal led to a deluge of media coverage.
5. The dam had to be opened to prevent a catastrophic deluge downstream.
6. Despite the deluge, the soccer game continued as scheduled.
7. The sudden deluge of questions caught the presenter off guard.
8. The city's drainage system struggled to handle the deluge of rainwater.
9. The deluge of visitors to the national park caused overcrowding.
10. The deluge of support from the community was heartwarming.
11. A deluge of complaints forced the company to reconsider its policies.
12. He tried to shield his camera from the deluge while capturing the storm.
13. The deluge of books in the library offered endless opportunities for learning.
14. The deluge of data overwhelmed the computer's processing capacity.
15. We stocked up on supplies before the deluge hit our area.
16. A deluge of memories flooded back as she revisited her childhood home.
17. The deluge of emotions she felt at the reunion was indescribable.