I. ˈdel(ˌ)yü]j also ˈde(ˌ)lü] or ˈdelyəj sometimes ˈdāl(ˌ)yü] or ˈdā(ˌ)lü] or ]zh noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin diluvium, from diluere to wash away, from di- (from dis- apart) + -luere (from lavere to wash) — more at dis- , lye
1.
a. : an overflowing of the land by water : inundation , flood
b. : a drenching rain : downpour
2. : an irresistible rush of something (as in overwhelming numbers, quantity, or volume)
a deluge of mail
a deluge of offers
3. : a forceful jet of water (as from a fire hose)
II. “ sometimes də̇ˈlüj\ transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to overflow with water : inundate , flood
torrential rains deluged the region
sometimes : drench
they were deluged before they could reach shelter
2. : to overwhelm as if with a deluge : overrun , swamp
the empire was deluged with mercenaries
he was deluged with letters
I shall deluge the reader with examples, hundreds of them — Anna G. Hatcher
Synonyms: see overpower