deluge
UK[ˈdel.juːdʒ]US[ˈdel.juːdʒ]
n
a very large amount of rain or water that suddenly covers an area
n
a very large number of things or people that arrive or happen at the same time
v
to send or give a very large number of things at the same time
v
to cover an area with a large amount of water
Morpheme Breakdown
de
luge
de
down, away
luge
to wash
Etymology
the word 'deluge' entered english in the late 14th century from old french, which itself derived from latin 'diluvium', meaning 'flood' or 'inundation'. the latin term is built from the prefix 'de-', signifying 'down' or 'away', and the root 'luere', a form of 'lavare' meaning 'to wash'. this literal combination paints a picture of water washing down or away. the term is most famously associated with the great biblical flood, which solidified its meaning as an overwhelming flood or a vast, sudden outpouring of anything.
Analysis
Structure: de (down, away) + luge (to wash)
de- (latin prefix meaning 'down' or 'away'); -luge (from latin 'luere', a variant of 'lavare', meaning 'to wash')
Examples
the town was cut off by the sudden deluge.
the office received a deluge of complaints after the announcement.
the company was deluged with applications for the new position.