ov- -comb form

  1. egg
    • ovi cide
    : ovum
    • ovi duct

ova ['ō-vəm] -n

(variant of ovum)

  1. a female gamete : macrogamete called also egg cell

oval ['ō-vəl] -n

  1. an oval figure or object
  2. a racetrack in the shape of an oval or a rectangle having rounded corners
  3. having the shape of an egg
  4. broadly elliptical

ov·al·bu·min [,ä-val-'byü-mən, ,ō-] -n

  1. the principal albumin of white of egg
  2. the crystalline part of egg albumins
  3. dried whites of eggs

Oval Office -n

  1. the seat of the executive department of the U.S. government

oval window -n

  1. an oval opening between the middle ear and the vestibule having the base of the stapes or columella attached to its membrane

Ovam·bo [ō-'vam-(,)bō, -'väm-] -n

  1. a member of a Bantu people of northern Namibia
  2. the Bantu language of the Ovambo people

ovar·i·an [ō-'ver-ē-ən] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving an ovary
    • ovarian cancer

ovari·ec·to·my [ō-,ver-ē-'ek-tə-mē] -n, adj

  1. oophorectomy

ovar·i·ole [ō-'ver-ē-,ōl] -n

  1. one of the tubes of which the ovaries of most insects are composed

ovar·i·ot·o·my [ō-,ver-ē-'ä-tə-mē] -n

  1. surgical incision of an ovary
  2. oophorectomy

ova·ry ['ō-və-rē, 'ōv-rē] -n

  1. one of the typically paired essential female reproductive organs that produce eggs and in vertebrates female sex hormones
  2. the enlarged rounded usu. basal portion of the pistil or gynoecium of an angiospermous plant that bears the ovules and consists of one or more carpels

ovate ['ō-,vāt] -adj

  1. shaped like an egg
  2. having an outline like a longitudinal section of an egg with the basal end broader
    • ovate leaves

ova·tion [ō-'vā-shən] -n

  1. a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a victory of less importance than that for which a triumph was granted
  2. an expression or demonstration of popular acclaim esp. by enthusiastic applause
    • received a standing ovation

ov·en ['ə-vən] -n

  1. a chamber used for baking, heating, or drying

ov·en·bird [-,bərd] -n

  1. any of various chiefly So. American small brown passerine birds (family Furnariidae, esp. genus Furnarius)
  2. an American warbler ( Seiurus aurocapillus) that builds a dome-shaped nest on the ground

ov·en·proof [-,prüf] -adj

  1. capable of withstanding the temperature range of a kitchen oven
    • ovenproof dishes

over ['ō-vər] -adv

  1. across a barrier or intervening space
  2. across the goal line in football
  3. forward beyond an edge or brink and often down
    • wandered too near the cliff and fell over
  4. across the brim
    • soup boiled over
  5. so as to bring the underside up
    • turned his cards over
  6. from a vertical to a prone or inclined position
    • knocked the lamp over
  7. from one person or side to another
    • hand it over
  8. across
    • got his point over
  9. to one's home
    • invite some friends over
  10. on the other side of an intervening space
    • the next town over
  11. to agreement or concord
    • won them over
  12. beyond some quantity, limit, or norm often by a specified amount or to a specified degree
    • show ran a minute over
  13. in an excessive manner : inordinately
  14. till a later time (as the next day) : overnight
    • stay over
    • sleep over
  15. above
  16. so as to cover the whole surface
    • windows boarded over
  17. used on a two-way radio circuit to indicate that a message is complete and a reply is expected
  18. through
    • read it over
  19. in an intensive or comprehensive manner
  20. once more : again
    • do it over
  21. used as a function word to indicate motion or situation in a position higher than or above another
    • towered over his mother
    • flew over the lake
    • rode over the old Roman road
  22. used as a function word to indicate the possession of authority, power, or jurisdiction in regard to some thing or person
    • respected those over him
  23. used as a function word to indicate superiority, advantage, or preference
    • a big lead over the others
  24. used as a function word to indicate one that is overcome, circumvented, or disregarded
    • passed over the governor's veto
  25. more than
    • cost over 5
  26. above
  27. used as a function word to indicate position upon or movement down upon
    • laid a blanket over the child
    • hit him over the head
  28. all through or throughout
    • showed me over the house
    • went over his notes
  29. used as a function word connecting one mathematical set and another whose elements are coefficients or values of parameters used to form elements of the first set
    • polynomials over the field of real numbers
  30. used as a function word to indicate a particular medium or channel of communication
    • over the radio
  31. used as a function word to indicate position on or motion to the other side or beyond
    • lives over the way
    • fell over the edge
  32. throughout, during
    • over the past 25 years
  33. until the end of
    • stay over Sunday
  34. used as a function word to indicate an object of solicitude, interest, consideration, or reference
    • the Lord watches over his own
  35. used as a function word to indicate the object of an expressed or implied occupation, activity, or concern
    • trouble over money
    • met with advisers over lunch
  36. upper, higher
  37. outer, covering
  38. excessive
    • over imagination
  39. not used up : remaining
    • something over to provide for unusual requirements -- J. A. Todd
  40. having or showing an excess or surplus
  41. being at an end
    • the day is over
  42. fried on both sides
    • ordered two eggs over
  43. to leap over

over- -prefix

  1. so as to exceed or surpass
    • over achieve
  2. excessive
    • over stimulation
  3. to an excessive degree
    • over thin

over·achiev·er [,ō-vər-ə-'chē-vər] -n, vi

  1. one who achieves success over and above the standard or expected level esp. at an early age

over·act [,ō-vər-'akt] -vi, n

  1. to act more than is necessary
  2. to overact a part
  3. to exaggerate in acting

over·ac·tive [-'ak-tiv] -adj, n

  1. excessively or abnormally active
    • overactive glands
    • an overactive imagination

over against -prep

  1. as opposed to : in contrast with

over·age [,ō-vər-'āj] -adj

  1. too old to be useful
  2. older than is normal for one's position, function, or grade
  3. surplus, excess

over·all [,ō-vər-'ȯl] -adv

  1. all over
    • the pattern used overall
  2. from one end to the other
    • 600 feet long overall
  3. in view of all the circumstances or conditions
    • overall, the sale was a success
  4. as a whole : generally
    • doesn't do as well overall
  5. with everyone or everything taken into account
    • was third overall in earnings
    • got 31 miles to the gallon overall
  6. loose protective trousers worn over regular clothes
  7. trousers of strong material usu. with a bib and shoulder straps
  8. a loose-fitting protective smock worn over regular clothing
  9. including everything
  10. viewed as a whole : general

over·alled ['ō-vər-,ȯld] -adj

  1. wearing overalls

over and above -prep

  1. in addition to : besides

over and over -adv

  1. repeatedly

over·arch·ing [,ō-vər-'är-chiŋ] -adj

  1. forming an arch overhead
  2. dominating or embracing all else
    • overarching goals

over·arm ['ō-vər-,ärm] -adj

  1. overhand
  2. made with the arm lifted out of the water and stretched forward over the shoulder to begin the stroke

over·awe [,ō-vər-'ȯ] -vt

  1. to restrain or subdue by awe

over·bal·ance [,ō-vər-'ba-lən(t)s] -vt

  1. outweigh
  2. to cause to lose balance
  3. something more than an equivalent

over·bear [,ō-vər-'ber] -vt

  1. to bring down by superior weight or force : overwhelm
  2. to domineer over
  3. to surpass in importance or cogency : outweigh

overbearing [-iŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. tending to overwhelm : overpowering
  2. decisively important : dominant
  3. harshly and haughtily arrogant

over·bid [,ō-vər-'bid] -vb, n

  1. to bid in excess of value
  2. to bid more than the scoring capacity of a hand at cards
  3. to make a higher bid than the preceding one
  4. to bid beyond or in excess of
  5. to bid more than the value of (one's hand at cards)

over·bite ['ō-vər-,bīt] -n

  1. the projection of the upper front teeth over the lower in the normal occlusal position of the jaws

over·blouse [-,blau̇s, -,blau̇z] -n

  1. a usu. fitted or belted blouse worn untucked

over·blown [,ō-vər-'blōn] -adj

  1. past the prime of bloom
    • overblown roses

overblown -adj

  1. excessively large in girth : portly
  2. inflated
    • overblown claims
    • overblown rhetoric
  3. pretentious

over·board ['ō-vər-,bȯrd] -adv

  1. over the side of a ship or boat into the water
  2. to extremes of enthusiasm
  3. into discard : aside

over·book [,ō-vər-'bu̇k] -vt

  1. to issue reservations for (as an airplane flight) in excess of the space available
  2. to issue reservations in excess of the space available

over·bought [-'bȯt] -adj

  1. not likely to show an immediate rise in price because of prior heavy buying and accompanying price rises
    • an overbought market

over·breed [-'brēd] -vt

  1. to breed (a plant or animal) to excess esp. without regard to the quality of the breeding stock
    • overbred dogs

over·build [-'bild] -vb

  1. to build beyond the actual demand of
  2. to build houses or commercial developments in excess of demand

over·bur·den [-'bər-dᵊn] -vt

  1. to place an excessive burden on
  2. material overlying a deposit of useful geological materials or bedrock

over·buy [,ō-vər-'bī] -vb

  1. to buy in excess of needs or demand
  2. to make purchases beyond one's needs or in excess of one's ability to pay

over·call [-'kȯl] -vt, n

  1. to make a higher bid than (the previous bid or bidder) in a card game
  2. to bid over an opponent's bid in bridge when one's partner has not bid or doubled

over·ca·pac·i·ty [,ō-vər-kə-'pa-sə-tē, -'pas-tē] -n

  1. excessive capacity for production or services in relation to demand

over·cap·i·tal·ize [-'ka-pə-tə-,līz, -'kap-tə-] -vt, n

  1. to put a nominal value on the capital of (a corporation) higher than actual cost or fair market value
  2. to capitalize beyond what the business or the profit-making prospects warrant

over·cast -vt

  1. darken, overshadow
  2. to sew (raw edges of a seam) with long slanting widely spaced stitches to prevent raveling
  3. clouded over
    • an overcast day
  4. covering
  5. a covering of clouds over the sky

over·cast·ing ['ō-vər-,kas-tiŋ] -n

  1. the act of stitching raw edges of fabric to prevent raveling
  2. the stitching so done

overcast stitch -n

  1. a small close embroidery stitch sometimes done over a foundation thread and used to form outlines

over·charge [,ō-vər-'chärj] -vt, n

  1. to charge too much or too fully
  2. to fill too full
  3. exaggerate, overdraw
  4. to make an excessive charge

over·class ['ō-vər-,klas] -n

  1. the highest social stratum : the segment of a society usu. having the most wealth, influence, education, and prestige compare underclass

over·cloud [,ō-vər-'klau̇d] -vt

  1. to overspread with or as if with clouds

over·coat ['ō-vər-,kōt] -n

  1. a warm coat worn over indoor clothing
  2. a protective coating (as of paint)

over·come [,ō-vər-'kəm] -vb, n

  1. to get the better of : surmount
    • overcome difficulties
  2. overwhelm
  3. to gain the superiority : win

over·com·mit [-kə-'mit] -vt, n

  1. : to commit excessively: as
  2. to obligate (as oneself) beyond the ability for fulfillment
  3. to allocate (resources) in excess of the capacity for replenishment

over·com·pen·sa·tion [-,käm-pən-'sā-shən, -,pen-] -n, vb, adj

  1. excessive compensation
  2. excessive reaction to a feeling of inferiority, guilt, or inadequacy leading to an exaggerated attempt to overcome the feeling

over·crowd [,ō-vər-'krau̇d] -vt

  1. to cause to be too crowded
  2. to crowd together too much

over·cut [-'kət] -vt

  1. to cut excessively
  2. to cut timber from (a forest) in excess of annual growth or an allotted annual amount

over·de·sign [-di-'zīn] -vt

  1. to design in a manner that is excessively complex or that exceeds usual standards (as of sturdiness or safety)

over·de·ter·mined [-di-'tər-mənd] -adj

  1. excessively determined
  2. having more than one determining psychological factor

over·de·vel·op [-di-'ve-ləp] -vt, n

  1. to develop excessively
  2. to subject (exposed photographic material) to a developing solution for excessive time or at excessive temperature, agitation, or concentration

over·di·ag·no·sis [-,dī-ig-'nō-səs, -əg-] -n, vt

  1. the diagnosis of a condition or disease more often than it is actually present

over·do [,ō-vər-'dü] -vb

  1. to do in excess
  2. to use to excess
  3. exaggerate
  4. to cook too long
  5. exhaust
  6. to go to extremes

over·dog ['ō-vər-,dȯg] -n

  1. one that is dominant or victorious

over·dom·i·nance [,ō-vər-'dä-mə-nən(t)s, -'däm-nən(t)s] -n, adj

  1. the condition wherein a heterozygote produces a phenotype more extreme or better adapted than that of the homozygote

over·dose ['ō-vər-,dōs] -n

  1. too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
  2. a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)
  3. an excessive quantity or amount
    • an overdose of fun
  4. to give an overdose or too many doses to
  5. to take or experience an overdose usu. used with on

over·draft ['ō-vər-,draft] -n

  1. an act of overdrawing at a bank : the state of being overdrawn
  2. the sum overdrawn
  3. line of credit

over·draw [,ō-vər-'drȯ] -vb

  1. to draw checks on (a bank account) for more than the balance
    • the account was overdrawn
  2. exaggerate, overstate
  3. to make an overdraft

over·drawn -adj

  1. having an overdrawn account

over·dress [,ō-vər-'dres] -vt

  1. to dress or adorn to excess
    • felt overdress ed for the occasion in his tuxedo
  2. to dress oneself to excess
    • it's better to overdress for the party than be too casual
  3. a dress worn over another

over·drive ['ō-vər-,drīv] -n

  1. an automotive transmission gear that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than engine speed
  2. a state of heightened activity
    • going into rhetorical overdrive

over·dub ['ō-vər-,dəb] -n

  1. the act or an instance of overdubbing
  2. recorded sound that is overdubbed
    • vocal overdub s
  3. to transfer (recorded sound) onto a recording that bears sound recorded earlier in order to produce a combined effect

over·due [-'dü, -'dyü] -adj

  1. unpaid when due
    • an overdue bill
  2. delayed beyond an appointed time
    • an overdue train
    • overdue library books
  3. too great : excessive
    • an overdue share of the profits
  4. more than ready
    • overdue for a haircut

over·eat [,ō-vər-'ēt] -vi, n

  1. to eat to excess

over·ex·pose [,ō-vər-ik-'spōz] -vt, n

  1. : to expose excessively: as
  2. to expose (as film) to excessive radiation (as light)
  3. to expose (as a celebrity) to excessive publicity esp. to the extent that attraction is diminished

over·ex·tend [,ō-vər-ik-'stend] -vt, n

  1. to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point
  2. to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid

over·fa·tigue [,ō-vər-fə-'tēg] -n, adj

  1. excessive fatigue esp. when carried beyond the recuperative capacity of the individual

over·feed [,ō-vər-'fēd] -vb

  1. to feed to excess
  2. to eat to excess

over·fill [-'fil] -vt

  1. to fill to overflowing
  2. to become full to overflowing

over·fish [-'fish] -vt

  1. to fish to the detriment of (a fishing ground) or to the depletion of (a kind of organism)

over·flight ['ō-vər-,flīt] -n

  1. a passage over an area in an aircraft

over·flow [,ō-vər-'flō] -vt

  1. to cover with or as if with water : inundate
  2. to flow over the brim of
  3. to cause to overflow
  4. to flow over bounds
  5. to fill a space to capacity and spread beyond its limits
    • the crowd overflow ed into the street
  6. a flowing over : inundation
  7. something that flows over : surplus
  8. an outlet or receptacle for surplus liquid

over·fly [,ō-vər-'flī] -vt

  1. to fly over
  2. to pass over in an aircraft or spacecraft

over·gar·ment ['ō-vər-,gär-mənt] -n

  1. an outer garment

over·glaze [-,glāz] -adj, n

  1. applied or suitable for applying on top of a fired glaze
    • overglaze enamels

over·graze [,ō-vər-'grāz] -vt

  1. to allow animals to graze (as a pasture) to the point of damaging vegetational cover

over·grow [,ō-vər-'grō] -vb, n

  1. to grow over so as to cover with herbage
  2. to grow beyond or rise above : outgrow
  3. to grow excessively
  4. to become grown over

overgrown -adj

  1. grown abnormally or excessively large
    • dismissed him as an overgrown adolescent

over·hand ['ō-vər-,hand] -adj, adv, adv or adj

  1. made with the hand brought forward and down from above shoulder level

overhand -vt

  1. to sew with short vertical stitches
  2. an overhand stroke (as in handball)

overhand knot -n

  1. a small knot often used to prevent the end of a cord from fraying

over·hang ['ō-vər-,haŋ, ,ō-vər-'] -vb

  1. to project over
  2. to impend over : threaten
  3. to project so as to be over something
  4. something that overhangs
  5. the extent of the overhanging
  6. the part of the bow or stern of a ship that projects over the water above the waterline
  7. a projection of the roof or upper story of a building beyond the wall of the lower part
  8. an excess amount of a commodity or security the selling of which often drives down the value of that kind of commodity or security
    • share overhang

over·haul [,ō-vər-'hȯl] -vt, n

  1. to examine thoroughly
  2. repair
  3. to renovate, remake, revise, or renew thoroughly
  4. to haul or drag over
  5. overtake

over·head [,ō-vər-'hed] -adv

  1. above one's head : aloft
  2. operating, lying, or coming from above
  3. having the driving part above the part driven
    • valves operated by an overhead camshaft
  4. of or relating to overhead
    • overhead costs
  5. business expenses (as rent, insurance, or heating) not chargeable to a particular part of the work or product
  6. ceiling
  7. the ceiling of a ship's compartment
  8. a stroke in a racket game made above head height : smash

overhead projector -n

  1. a projector for projecting onto a vertical screen magnified images of graphic material on a horizontal transparency illuminated from below called also overhead

over·hear [,ō-vər-'hir] -vb

  1. to hear without the speaker's knowledge or intention
  2. to overhear something

over·heat [-'hēt] -vt

  1. to heat to excess
  2. to stimulate or agitate unduly
  3. to become heated beyond a safe or desirable point

over·heat·ed [-'hē-təd] -adj

  1. perfervid
  2. characterized by marked inflation from an increase in demand and a decrease in supply
    • an overheated economy

over·is·sue [,ō-vər-'i-(,)shü] -n, vt

  1. an issue exceeding the limit of capital, credit, or authority

over·joyed [-'jȯid] -adj

  1. feeling great joy

over·kill [,ō-vər-'kil] -vt

  1. to obliterate (a target) with more nuclear force than required
  2. a destructive capacity greatly exceeding that required for a given target
  3. an excess of something (as a quantity or an action) beyond what is required or suitable for a particular purpose
    • publicity overkill
    • an overkill in weaponry
  4. killing in excess of what is intended or required

over·land ['ō-vər-,land, -lənd] -adv

  1. by, on, or across land

overland -adj

  1. going or accomplished over the land instead of by sea
    • overland emigrants
    • an overland route

over·lap [,ō-vər-'lap] -vt, n

  1. to extend over or past and cover a part of
  2. to have something in common with
  3. to occupy the same area in part
  4. to have something in common

over·lay [,ō-vər-'lā] -vt

  1. to lay or spread over or across : superimpose
  2. to prepare an overlay for
  3. overlie
  4. : a covering either permanent or temporary: as
  5. an ornamental veneer
  6. a decorative and contrasting design or article placed on top of a plain one
  7. a transparent sheet containing graphic matter to be superimposed on another sheet

over·leaf ['ō-vər-,lēf, -'lēf] -adv

  1. on the other side of a leaf (as of a book)
    • find the answers overleaf

over·leap [,ō-vər-'lēp] -vt

  1. to leap over or across
  2. to defeat (oneself) by going too far

over·learn [-'lərn] -vt

  1. to continue to study or practice after attaining proficiency

over·lie [-'lī] -vt

  1. to lie over or upon
  2. to cause the death of by lying upon

over·look [-'lu̇k] -vt

  1. to look over : inspect
  2. to look down upon from above
  3. to rise above or afford a view of
  4. to look past : miss
  5. ignore
  6. excuse
  7. superintend, oversee
  8. to look on with the evil eye : bewitch
  9. a place from which one may look down on a scene below
    • plenty of overlook s and trails -- Thelma H. Bell

over·lord ['ō-vər-,lȯrd] -n

  1. a lord over other lords : a lord paramount
  2. an absolute or supreme ruler
  3. one having great power or authority
    • a corporate overlord

over·ly ['ō-vər-lē] -adv

  1. to an excessive degree : too

over·man [-mən, -,man] -n

  1. a man in authority over others
  2. foreman
  3. superman
  4. to have or get too many personnel for the needs of
    • overman a ship

over·man·tel ['ō-vər-,man-tᵊl] -n, adj

  1. an ornamental structure (as a painting) above a mantelpiece

over·mas·ter [,ō-vər-'mas-tər] -vt

  1. overpower, subdue

over·mas·ter·ing [-'mas-tə-riŋ] -adj

  1. dominant
    • overmastering behavior
    • the overmastering question

over·match [-'mach] -vt

  1. to be more than a match for : defeat
  2. to match with a superior opponent

over·much [-'məch] -adj

  1. too much

overmuch -adv

  1. in too great a degree

over·much ['ō-vər-,məch, ,ō-vər-'] -n

  1. too great an amount

over·night [,ō-vər-'nīt] -adv

  1. on the evening before
  2. during the night
    • stayed away overnight
  3. very quickly or suddenly
    • became famous overnight

overnight -adj

  1. of, lasting, or staying the night
  2. sudden, rapid
    • an overnight sensation
  3. traveling during the night
    • an overnight train
  4. accomplished by a mail service within one day's time
    • overnight delivery
  5. delivered within one day's time
    • overnight mail
  6. to stay overnight
  7. to send (as a package or letter) by a mail service for delivery within one day's time

over·night ['ō-vər-,nīt] -n

  1. an overnight stay

overnight bag -n

  1. a suitcase of a size to carry clothing and personal articles for an overnight trip called also overnight case

over·night·er [,ō-vər-'nī-tər] -n

  1. overnight bag
  2. an overnight trip
  3. a person who stays overnight

over·pass [,ō-vər-'pas] -vt

  1. to pass across, over, or beyond : cross
  2. surpass
  3. transgress
  4. disregard, ignore
  5. a crossing of two highways or of a highway and pedestrian path or railroad at different levels where clearance to traffic on the lower level is obtained by elevating the higher level
  6. the upper level of such a crossing

over·per·suade [,ō-vər-pər-'swād] -vt, n

  1. to persuade to act contrary to one's conviction or preference

over·plaid ['ō-vər-,plad] -n, adj

  1. a textile design consisting of a plaid pattern superimposed on another plaid or on a textured ground
  2. a fabric with such a design

over·play [,ō-vər-'plā] -vt

  1. to present (as a dramatic role) extravagantly : exaggerate
  2. to place too much emphasis on
  3. to rely too much on the strength of usu. used in the phrase overplay one's hand
  4. to strike a golf ball beyond (a putting green)
  5. to exaggerate a part or effect

over·plus ['ō-vər-,pləs] -n

  1. surplus

over·pop·u·late [,ō-vər-'päp-yə-,lāt] -vt

  1. to populate too densely : furnish or provide with more than the environment or market will bear
  2. to become overly populous

over·pop·u·la·tion [,ō-vər-,pä-pyə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the condition of having a population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a population crash

over·pow·er [,ō-vər-'pau̇(-ə)r] -vt, adv

  1. to overcome by superior force : subdue
  2. to affect with overwhelming intensity
    • the stench overpower ed us
  3. to provide with more power than is needed or desirable
    • a dangerously overpower ed car

over·pre·dict [,ō-vər-pri-'dikt] -vt, n

  1. to predict by an amount that exceeds the actual value
    • overpredict inflation

over·pres·sure ['ō-vər-,pre-shər] -n

  1. pressure significantly above what is usual or normal

over·price [,ō-vər-'prīs] -vt

  1. to price too high

over·print [,ō-vər-'print] -vt

  1. to print over with something additional
  2. something added by or as if by overprinting
  3. a printed marking added to a postage or revenue stamp esp. to alter the original or to commemorate a special event

over·proof [,ō-vər-'prüf] -adj

  1. containing more alcohol than proof spirit

over·pro·por·tion [-prə-'pȯr-shən] -vt

  1. to make disproportionately large

over·qual·i·fied [-'kwä-lə-,fīd] -adj

  1. having more education, training, or experience than a job calls for

over·rate ['ō-vər-,rāt] -vt

  1. to rate, value, or estimate too highly
    • overrate s his importance to the team

over·reach [,ō-və(r)-'rēch] -vt, n

  1. to reach above or beyond : overtop
  2. to defeat (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much
  3. to get the better of esp. in dealing and bargaining and typically by unscrupulous or crafty methods
  4. to strike the forefoot with the front part of the hind foot
  5. to go to excess
  6. exaggerate
  7. to overreach oneself

over·rep·re·sent·ed ['ō-və(r)-,re-pri-'zen-təd] -adj, n

  1. represented excessively
  2. having representatives in a proportion higher than the average

over·ride [-'rīd] -vt

  1. to ride over or across : trample
  2. to ride (as a horse) too much or too hard
  3. to prevail over : dominate
  4. to set aside : annul
    • override a veto
  5. to neutralize the action of (as an automatic control)
  6. to extend or pass over
  7. overlap
  8. a commission paid to managerial personnel on sales made by subordinates
  9. royalty
  10. a device or system used to override a control
  11. an act or an instance of overriding

overriding -adj

  1. chief, principal
    • an overriding concern

over·ripe [,ō-və(r)-'rīp] -adj, n

  1. passed beyond maturity or ripeness toward decay
    • an overripe pear
  2. decadent
  3. lacking originality or vigor
    • overripe prose

over·rule [-'rül] -vt

  1. to rule over : govern
  2. to prevail over : overcome
  3. to rule against
  4. to set aside : reverse

over·run [-'rən] -vt

  1. to defeat decisively and occupy the positions of
  2. to invade and occupy or ravage
  3. to spread or swarm over : infest
  4. to run or go beyond or past
    • the plane overran the runway
  5. exceed
    • overrun a budget
  6. to readjust (set type) by shifting letters or words from one line into another
  7. to flow over
    • the river overran its banks
  8. an act or instance of overrunning
  9. an exceeding of the costs estimated in a contract for development and manufacture of new equipment
  10. the amount by which something overruns
  11. a run in excess of the quantity ordered by a customer

over·scale ['ō-vər-,skāl] -adj

  1. oversize
    • an overscale coat
    • an overscale sofa

over·sea [,ō-vər-'sē, 'ō-vər-,] -adj or adv

  1. overseas

over·seas [,ō-vər-'sēz] -adv

  1. beyond or across the sea
    • lived overseas for a time
  2. of or relating to movement, transport, or communication over the sea
    • an overseas liner
  3. situated, originating in, or relating to lands beyond the sea
    • overseas installations
    • overseas immigrants

overseas cap -n

  1. garrison cap

over·see [,ō-vər-'sē] -vt

  1. survey, watch
  2. inspect, examine
  3. supervise

over·seed ['ō-vər-,sēd] -vt

  1. to seed (an existing stand) with another type of plant
    • overseed ed the Bermuda grass with ryegrass

over·seer ['ō-və(r)-,sir, -,sē-ər, ,ō-və(r)-'] -n

  1. supervisor, superintendent

over·sell [,ō-vər-'sel] -vt, n

  1. to sell too much or too many to
  2. to sell too much or too many of
  3. to make excessive claims for

over·set [-'set] -vt, n

  1. to disturb mentally or physically : upset
  2. to turn or tip over : overturn
  3. to set too much type matter for

over·sexed [,ō-vər-'sekst] -adj

  1. exhibiting an excessive sexual drive or interest

over·shad·ow [-'sha-(,)dō] -vt

  1. to cast a shadow over
  2. to exceed in importance : outweigh

over·shirt ['ō-vər-,shərt] -n

  1. a shirt usu. worn over another shirt without being tucked in

over·shoe [-,shü] -n

  1. an outer shoe
  2. galosh

over·shoot [,ō-vər-'shüt] -vt, n

  1. to pass swiftly beyond
  2. to shoot or pass over or beyond so as to miss

over·shot ['ō-vər-,shät] -adj

  1. actuated by the weight of water passing over and flowing from above
    • an overshot waterwheel
  2. having the upper jaw extending beyond the lower
  3. projecting beyond the lower jaw

overshot -n

  1. a pattern or weave featuring filling threads which pass two or more warp yarns before reentering the fabric

over·sight ['ō-vər-,sīt] -n

  1. watchful and responsible care
  2. regulatory supervision
    • congressional oversight
  3. an inadvertent omission or error

over·sim·ple [,ō-vər-'sim-pəl] -adj, adv

  1. too simple : not thoroughgoing or exhaustive
    • oversimple theories

over·sim·pli·fy [-'sim-plə-,fī] -vt, n

  1. to simplify to such an extent as to bring about distortion, misunderstanding, or error
  2. to engage in undue or extreme simplification

over·size [,ō-vər-'sīz] -adj

  1. being of more than standard or ordinary size
    • oversize pillows
    • an oversize shirt

over·skirt ['ō-vər-,skərt] -n

  1. a skirt worn over another skirt

over·sleep [,ō-vər-'slēp] -vb

  1. to sleep beyond the time for waking
  2. to allow (oneself) to oversleep

over·slip [,ō-vər-'slip] -vt

  1. escape

over·sold [,ō-vər-'sōld] -adj

  1. likely to show a rise in price because of prior heavy selling and accompanying decline in price
    • an oversold stock

over·soul ['ō-vər-,sōl] -n

  1. the absolute reality and basis of all existences conceived as a spiritual being in which the ideal nature imperfectly manifested in human beings is perfectly realized

over·spend [,ō-vər-'spend] -vb, n

  1. to spend or use to excess : exhaust
  2. to exceed in expenditure
  3. to spend beyond one's means

over·spill ['ō-vər-,spil] -n

  1. the act or an instance of spilling over
  2. the movement of excess urban population into less crowded areas

over·spread [,ō-vər-'spred] -vt, n

  1. to spread over or above

over·state [-'stāt] -vt, n

  1. to state in too strong terms : exaggerate
    • overstated his qualifications

over·stay [-'stā] -vt

  1. to stay beyond the time or the limits of

over·steer ['ō-vər-,stir] -n

  1. the tendency of an automobile to steer into a sharper turn than the driver intends sometimes with a thrusting of the rear to the outside
  2. the action or an instance of oversteer

over·step [,ō-vər-'step] -vt

  1. exceed, transgress

over·stored ['ō-vər-,stȯrd] -adj

  1. having more stores than the market will support
    • an overstored industry

over·sto·ry ['ō-vər-,stȯr-ē] -n

  1. the layer of foliage in a forest canopy
  2. the trees contributing to an overstory

over·strew [,ō-vər-'strü] -vt

  1. to strew or scatter about
  2. to cover here and there

over·stride [-'strīd] -vt

  1. to stride over, across, or beyond
  2. bestride
  3. to stride faster than or beyond

over·strung [-'strəŋ] -adj

  1. too highly strung : too sensitive

over·stuff [-'stəf] -vt

  1. to stuff too full
  2. to cover (as a chair or sofa) completely and deeply with upholstery

over·sub·scribe [-səb-'skrīb] -vt, n

  1. to subscribe for more of than is available

overt [ō-'vərt, 'ō-(,)vərt] -adj, adv, n

  1. open to view : manifest
    • overt hostility

over·take [,ō-vər-'tāk] -vt

  1. to catch up with
  2. to catch up with and pass by
  3. to come upon suddenly

overthecounter -adj

  1. not traded or effected on an organized securities exchange
    • overthecounter transactions
    • overthecounter securities
  2. sold lawfully without prescription
    • an overthecounter pain reliever

overthehill -adj

  1. past one's prime
  2. advanced in age

overthetop -adj

  1. extremely or excessively flamboyant or outrageous
    • an overthetop performance

overthetransom -adj

  1. offered without prior arrangement esp. for publication : unsolicited
    • an overthetransom manuscript

over·throw [,ō-vər-'thrō] -vt, n

  1. overturn, upset
  2. to cause the downfall of : bring down, defeat
  3. to throw a ball over or past (as a base or a receiver)

over·time ['ō-vər-,tīm] -n, adv

  1. : time in excess of a set limit: as
  2. working time in excess of a standard day or week
  3. an extra period of play in a contest
  4. the wage paid for overtime

over·tone [-,tōn] -n

  1. one of the higher tones produced simultaneously with the fundamental and that with the fundamental comprise a complex musical tone : harmonic
  2. harmonic
  3. the color of the light reflected (as by a paint)
  4. a secondary effect, quality, or meaning : suggestion, connotation

over·top [,ō-vər-'täp] -vt

  1. to rise above the top of
  2. to be superior to
  3. surpass

over·trade [-'trād] -vi

  1. to trade beyond one's capital

over·trick ['ō-vər-,trik] -n

  1. a card trick won in excess of the number bid

over·trump [,ō-vər-'trəmp] -vt

  1. to trump with a higher trump card than the highest previously played on the same trick
  2. to play a higher trump card than the highest previously played on the same trick

over·ture ['ō-və(r)-,chu̇r, -chər, -,tyu̇r, -,tu̇r] -n

  1. an initiative toward agreement or action : proposal
  2. something introductory : prelude
  3. the orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work
  4. an orchestral concert piece written esp. as a single movement in sonata form

overture -vt

  1. to put forward as an overture
  2. to make or present an overture to

over·turn [,ō-vər-'tərn] -vt

  1. to cause to turn over : upset
    • overturn ed the vase
  2. invalidate, destroy
  3. reverse
    • overturn a court ruling
  4. upset, turn over
  5. the act of overturning : the state of being overturned
  6. the sinking of surface water and rise of bottom water in a lake or sea that results from changes in temperature that commonly occur in spring and fall

over·val·ue [,ō-vər-'val-(,)yü] -vt, n

  1. to assign an excessive or fictitious value to

over·view ['ō-vər-,vyü] -n

  1. a general survey : summary

over·volt·age [,ō-vər-'vōl-tij] -n

  1. the excess potential required for the discharge of an ion at an electrode over and above the equilibrium potential of the electrode
  2. voltage in excess of the normal operating voltage of a device or circuit

over·wear [-'wer] -vt

  1. wear out, exhaust

over·ween·ing [-'wē-niŋ] -adj, adv

  1. arrogant, presumptuous
  2. immoderate, exaggerated

over·weigh [-'wā] -vt

  1. to exceed in weight
  2. oppress

over·weight ['ō-vər-,wāt, 2 is usu ,ō-vər-'] -n

  1. weight over and above what is required or allowed
  2. excessive or burdensome weight
  3. to give too much weight or consideration to
  4. to weight excessively
  5. exceeding expected, normal, or proper weight
  6. exceeding the bodily weight normal for one's age, height, and build

over·whelm [,ō-vər-'hwelm, -'welm] -vt

  1. upset, overthrow
  2. to cover over completely : submerge
  3. to overcome by superior force or numbers
  4. to overpower in thought or feeling

over·whelm·ing [-'(h)wel-miŋ] -adj

  1. tending or serving to overwhelm
    • overwhelming force
  2. extreme, great
    • overwhelming indifference
    • an overwhelming majority

over·whelm·ing·ly -adv

  1. to an overwhelming extent
    • an overwhelmingly powerful army
  2. extremely
    • overwhelmingly mediocre
  3. mostly by far
    • the workers were overwhelmingly female

over·win·ter [,ō-vər-'win-tər] -vi

  1. to last through or pass the winter

overwinter -adj

  1. occurring during the period spanning the winter

over with -adj

  1. being at an end : finished, completed

over·work [,ō-vər-'wərk] -vt, n

  1. to cause to work too hard, too long, or to exhaustion
    • overwork ed the horses
  2. to work too much on
    • overwork bread dough
  3. to make excessive use of
    • overwork ed tunes
  4. to work too much or too long : overdo

over·write [,ō-və(r)-'rīt] -vb

  1. to write over the surface of
  2. to write in inflated or overly elaborate style
  3. to write too much or in an overly elaborate style

over·wrought [-'rȯt] -adj

  1. extremely excited : agitated
  2. elaborated to excess : overdone

ovi·cide ['ō-və-,sīd] -n, adj

  1. an agent that kills eggs
  2. an insecticide effective against the egg stage

ovi·duct ['ō-və-,dəkt] -n, adj

  1. a tube that allows for the passage of eggs from an ovary

ovine ['ō-,vīn] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or resembling sheep

ovip·a·rous [ō-'vi-p(ə-)rəs] -adj

  1. producing eggs that develop and hatch outside the maternal body
  2. involving the production of such eggs

ovi·pos·it ['ō-və-,pä-zət, ,ō-və-'] -vi, n, adj

  1. to lay eggs used esp. of insects

ovi·pos·i·tor ['ō-və-,pä-zə-tər, ,ō-və-'] -n

  1. a specialized organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs

ovi·rap·tor ['ō-və-,rap-tər] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Oviraptor) of bipedal theropod dinosaurs of the late Cretaceous having a toothless muscular jaw, clawed finger and toes, and a crested skull and that are thought to have exhibited brooding behavior

ovoid ['ō-,vȯid] -adj, n

  1. resembling an egg in shape : ovate
    • an ovoid fruit

ovolac·to vegetarian ['ō-vō-'lak-tō-] -n

  1. lacto-ovo vegetarian

ovo·lo ['ō-və-,lō] -n

  1. a rounded convex molding

ovo·tes·tis [,ō-vō-'tes-təs] -n

  1. a hermaphrodite gonad

ovo·vi·vip·a·rous ['ō-vō-,vī-'vi-p(ə-)rəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. producing eggs that develop within the maternal body (as of various fishes or reptiles) and hatch within or immediately after release from the parent

ovu·late ['äv-yə-,lāt, 'ōv-, -lət] -adj

  1. bearing an ovule

ovu·la·tion [,äv-yə-'lā-shən, ,ōv-] -n, vb

  1. the discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

ovu·la·to·ry ['äv-yə-lə-,tȯr-ē, 'ōv-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving ovulation
    • the ovulatory cycle

ovule ['äv-(,)yül, 'ōv-] -n

  1. an outgrowth of the ovary of a seed plant that is a megasporangium and encloses an embryo sac within a nucellus
  2. a small egg
  3. one in an early stage of growth

ovum ['ō-vəm] -n

  1. a female gamete : macrogamete called also egg cell