inundate

[in-uhn-deyt, -uhn-, in-uhn-deyt]

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verb (used with object), in·un·dat·ed, in·un·dat·ing.

to flood; cover or overspread with water; deluge.
to overwhelm: inundated with letters of protest.

Origin of inundate

1615–25; < Latin inundātus, past participle of inundāre to flood, overflow, equivalent to in- in-² + und(a) wave + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsin·un·da·tion, nounin·un·da·tor, nounin·un·da·to·ry

[in-uhn-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈʌn dəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivesu·per·in·un·da·tion, nounun·in·un·dat·ed, adjective

Synonyms for inundate

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2. glut.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for inundation

tide, flood, torrent

Examples from the Web for inundation

Historical Examples of inundation

Prouided, that the ground neither be boggy, nor the inundation be past 24.
A New Orchard And Garden
William Lawson
Hathor was regarded in tradition as the cause of the inundation.
The Evolution of the Dragon
G. Elliot Smith
We have our wonders of inundation in Suffolk also, I can tell you.
Letters of Edward FitzGerald
Edward FitzGerald
Should the inundation increase, where could they find refuge?
In Search of the Castaways
Jules Verne
“I think it was an inundation or a big fire,” she a little languidly smiled.
The Patagonia
Henry James

British Dictionary definitions for inundation

inundate

verb (tr)

to cover completely with water; overflow; flood; swamp
to overwhelm, as if with a floodto be inundated with requests

Derived Formsinundant or inundatory, adjectiveinundation, nouninundator, noun

Word Origin for inundate

C17: from Latin inundāre to flood, from unda wave

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inundation

early 15c., from Latin inundationem (nominative inundatio) "an overflowing," noun of action from past participle stem of inundare "to overflow," from in- "onto" (see in- (2)) + undare "to flow," from unda "wave" (see water).

inundate

1620s, back-formation from inundation, or else from Latin inundatus, past participle of inundare "to overflow, run over" (see inundation). Related: Inundated; inundating.