Emily Dickinson Lexicon

flood (-s), n. [OE.]

1. Fullness; volume; [fig.] sensory overload; comprehensive color, scent, beauty, and so forth.
2. Extensive rainfall; total inundation; global deluge; complete immersion of the Earth in water; (see Noah's flood in Genesis 7:6).
3. River; stream of water; [fig.] inspiration; revelation; outpouring of words; [metaphor] manuscript; fascicle; packet of poetry; collection of verses.
4. Storm surge; over-flowing water.
5. Abundance; copious amount.
6. Swell; gush; crescendo; [fig.] euphony; outpouring of pleasant sound; [metaphor] collective birdsong.
7. Water level; amount of precipitation.
8. Transfusion; blood flow; [fig.] source of life; [metaphor] baptism; atonement; redemption that covers the price of death and hell; sacrifice that overcomes spiritual death and physical death.
9. Ocean; body of water.
10. Drink; essential liquid; water of life; [fig.] baptism; sacrament; purification; sanctification; blessing; breath of life; [metonymy] totality; everything; all-encompassing life force.
11. Incremental increase; gradual overflow of water.