(~s)
1.
A ~ is a very large wave, often caused by an earthquake, that flows onto the land and destroys things.
...a massive ~ swept the ship up and away.
N-COUNT
2.
If you describe a very large number of emotions, things, or people as a ~, you mean that they all occur at the same time.
The trade union movement was swept along by the same ~ of patriotism which affected the country as a whole...
= deluge
N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n