Definition of the word deluge

The word "deluge" comes from the Latin "delugium," meaning "a flood" or "a tearing down." This Latin word is derived from "deluere," which means "to wash away" or "to destroy." In the Bible, the story of Noah's Ark features a great flood, known as the "deluge," which God sent to destroy the wicked people on earth. This biblical story has had a lasting impact on the English language, and the word "deluge" has been used since the 14th century to describe any overwhelming flood or catastrophic event. Over time, the meaning of the word has expanded to include other types of overwhelming or devastating occurrences, such as a deluge of problems or a deluge of criticism.