Deluge

Noun

Definition: A great flood; a heavy rush of water or overwhelming amount of something.

Synonyms: Flood, Inundation, Torrent, Downpour

Antonyms: Trickle, Drought, Scarcity

Examples:

The city experienced a deluge of rain, causing widespread flooding.
The deluge of mail overwhelmed the office staff.

Mnemonics:

Imagine a gigantic water balloon bursting and causing a deluge of water.

Verb

Definition: To inundate or overwhelm with a flood or large quantity of something.

Synonyms: Overwhelm, Flood, Engulf

Antonyms: Clear, Empty, Drain

Examples:

The river overflowed and deluged the nearby fields.
Social media platforms are often deluged with messages during viral events.

Mnemonics:

Remember the image of a dam breaking and deluging the land below.

Etymology:

Origin:

Middle English via Old French from Latin diluvium, from diluere 'wash away'.

Historical Usage:

The word "deluge" has been used since the 14th century to describe a great flood and has retained its primary meaning throughout history.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"A deluge of emotions"

Explanation:

Refers to experiencing a flood of intense or overwhelming emotions.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Assuming "deluge" is only associated with water-related floods.

Explanation:

While "deluge" is often used to describe floods, it can also be used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming amount of anything, such as information or emotions.