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. Papin.
Overwhelm
(O"ver*whelm`), n. The act of overwhelming. [R.]
Overwhelming
(O`ver*whelm"ing), a. Overpowering; irresistible. — O`ver*whelm"ing*ly, adv.
Overwind
(O`ver*wind") v. t. To wind too tightly, as a spring, or too far, as a hoisting rope on a drum.
Overwing
(O`ver*wing") v. t. To outflank. [Obs.] Milton.
Overwise
(O"ver*wise") a. Too wise; affectedly wise. — O`ver*wise"ly, adv. — O`ver*wise"ness, n.
Overwit
(O`ver*wit") v. t. To outwit. Swift.
Overword
(O`ver*word") v. t. To say in too many words; to express verbosely. Hales.
Overwork
(O`ver*work") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Overworked or Overwrought ; p. pr. & vb. n. Overworking.]
1. To work beyond the strength; to cause to labor too much or too long; to tire excessively; as, to overwork
a horse.
2. To fill too full of work; to crowd with labor.
My days with toil are overwrought.
Longfellow. 3. To decorate all over.
Overwork
(O`ver*work"), v. t. To work too much, or beyond one's strength.
Overwork
(O"ver*work`), n. Work in excess of the usual or stipulated time or quantity; extra work; also,
excessive labor.
