Definition of inundate

The word "inundate" originated in the late 16th century, derived from the Latin word "inundāre," meaning "to flood." This Latin word itself has roots in the Latin words "ad" (meaning "to" or "toward") and "undāre," which originally referred to the act of flowing or spreading out. The English use of "inundate" as a verb to indicate overwhelming or flooding with a large volume or flow of something (such as people, ideas, or information) is a direct borrowing from the Latin word. It has come to be used commonly in various fields, such as hydrology for heavy rainfall, or in military or political contexts to describe the overpowering of an area, population, or political body. Overall, the word "inundate" has evolved over time, its current meaning reflecting the concept of being overwhelmed and engulfed by a mass or deluge of something, as well as the original Latin word's root meaning of flooding or reaching above normal water levels.