O·ver·whelm v. t. [imp. & p. p. Overwhelmed p. pr. & vb. n. Overwhelming.]
1. To cover over completely, as by a great wave; to overflow and bury beneath; to ingulf; hence, figuratively, to immerse and bear down; to overpower; to crush; to bury; to oppress, etc., overpoweringly.
The sea overwhelmed their enemies. --Ps. lxxviii. 53.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. --Ps. lv. 5.
Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth o'erwhelm them. --Shak.
Gaza yet stands; but all her sons are fallen,
All in a moment overwhelmed and fallen. --Milton.
2. To project or impend over threateningly.
His louering brows o'erwhelming his fair sight. --Shak.
3. To cause to surround, to cover.
overwhelmed
adj : rendered powerless especially by an excessive amount or
profusion of something; "a desk flooded with
applications"; "felt inundated with work"; "too much
overcome to notice"; "a man engulfed by fear"; "swamped
by work" [syn: flooded, inundated, overcome, overpowered,
swamped, engulfed]