An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Sündflut

by Friedrich Kluge

Sündflut, f., ‘the Flood,’ is an early ModHG. corruption of the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. sin-vluot, which means lit. ‘great universal overflow.’ The term sin-, which appears only in OTeut. compounds, signifies ‘general, constantly, always’ (comp. Singrün, ‘periwinkle’), in Goth. sinteins, ‘daily, everlasting,’ AS. symble, OSax. and OHG. simblum, ‘always.’ Comp. Lat. sem-per, ‘always.’