释义 |
inundation|ɪnʌnˈdeɪʃən| Also 7 en-. [ad. L. inundātiōn-em, n. of action f. inundāre: see prec. and -ation. OF. had inundacion in 12–14th c. (perh. the immediate source); mod.F. inondation (Paré, 16th c.).] 1. The action of inundating; the fact of being inundated with water; an overflow of water; a flood.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 35 The firste age began from the creation of man; the secunde of a meruellous invndacion of water [Higden inundatione diluvii, Trevisa Noes flood]. a1548Hall Chron., Rich. III 39 The ryver rose so high that yt overflowed all the countrey..By this inundacion the passages were so closed that [etc.]. 1599Hakluyt Voy. II. 203 This place hath a great pond caused by the inundation of Nilus. 1607Markham Caval. i. (1617) 6 Free from all enundation or ouer-flowe of waters. 1726Cavallier Mem. iv. 347, I embarked..on flat Boats, on which we were two Hours a crossing that inundation. 1834–47J. S. Macaulay Field Fortif. (1851) 86 The waters should be retained by dams, that they may accumulate in front of the intrenchment, and thus form an inundation. 1880Haughton Phys. Geog. iv. 192 Rich plains, which are fertilized by their periodic inundations. 2. transf. and fig. An overspreading or overwhelming in superfluous abundance; overflowing, superabundance.
1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. vi. (Arb.) 27 Then aboutes began the declination of the Romain Empire, by the notable inundations of the Hunnes and Vandalles. 1592Shakes. Rom. & Jul. iv. i. 12 And in his wisedome, hasts our marriage, To stop the inundation of her teares. 1607E. Grimstone tr. Goulart's Mem. Hist. 571 At last this inundation of earth stayed it selfe against 2. houses..which were covered up halfe way the walles. 1654tr. Martini's Conq. China 64 By reason of a great inundation of Locusts which devoured all. 1659Gentl. Calling viii. ⁋27 By a steady opposing himself against the inundation of profaneness and licentiousness. 1767Woman of Fashion II. 138 [They] let in an Inundation of impertinent Visitors. 1798Pennant Hindoostan II. 21 A Brahmin..by the most pathetic supplications endeavoured to avert this inundation of pollution. 1860Emerson Cond. Life, Behaviour Wks. (Bohn) II. 384 What inundation of life and thought is discharged from one soul into another through them [eyes]! |