Etymology dictionary

outline (v.) — overdue (adj.)

outline (v.)

1762, "to draw in outline, draw the exterior lines of, sketch the main features of," from outline (n.). Meaning "to describe in general terms" is from 1847. Related: Outlined; outlining.

1660s, "lines by which a figure is delineated," from out- + line (v.). Literally the outer or exterior line, but used freely for the principal or distinguishing lines. Meaning "rough draft in words" is from 1759.

outlive (v.)

"to live longer than," late 15c., from out- + live (v.). Related: Outlived; outliving. Old English had oferbiden (Middle English overbiden, literally "over-bide") for "to outlive, outlast, live through," also oferlibban (literally "over-live;" compare German überleben, Danish overleve).

outlook (n.)

"mental view or survey," 1742, from out- + look (v.). The meaning "prospect for the future" is attested from 1851. Earliest sense was "a place from which an observer looks out or watches anything" (1660s). The literal sense of "vigilant watch, act or practice of looking out" (1815) is rare; look-out being used instead for this.

outmaneuver (v.)

also out-maneuver, "surpass in maneuvering," 1799, from out- + maneuver (v.). Related: Outmaneuvered; outmaneuvering.

outmoded (adj.)

"no longer in fashion, out-of-date," 1894, from out- + mode (q.v.); perhaps formed on model of French démoder.

outnumber (v.)

"to number more than, exceed in number," 1660s, from out- + number (v.). Related: Outnumbered; outnumbering.

outpatient (n.)

also out-patient, 1715, "patient not residing at a hospital, person who is treated at a hospital but not admitted," from out- + patient (n.). The adjective is recorded by 1879.

outperform (v.)

"perform better than," 1915, an advertiser's word at first, from out- + perform. Related: Outperformed; outperforming.

outplay (v.)

also out-play, "to play better than, surpass in playing," 1640s, from out- + play (v.). Related: Outplayed; outplaying.

outpost (n.)

1757, "military position detached from the main body of troops or outside the limits of a camp," from out- + post (n.2). Originally in George Washington's letters. Phrase outpost of Empire (by 1895) "remotest territory of an empire" in later use often echoes Kipling:

outpouring (n.)

mid-15c., "a pouring out, outflow, effusion," from out- + infinitive of pour (v.). From 1757 as "action of pouring out," probably a re-coinage, originally transferred, of things spiritual; sense of "that which is poured out" (again, usually transferred) is from 1827. A verb, outpour "to pour forth," is attested from 1670s.

output (n.)

"quantity of material put out or produced in a given time," 1839, from out- + put (v.). Until c. 1880, "a technical term in the iron and coal trade" [OED]; by 1884 as "energy produced by a device or system." The verb is attested from mid-14c., originally "to expel, exclude" (a sense now obsolete); meaning "to produce" is from 1858.

outre (adj.)

"exaggerated, extravagant, eccentric, passing the bounds of what is usual or proper," 1722, from French outré "exaggerated, excessive, extreme," past participle of outrer "to carry to excess, overdo, overstrain, exaggerate," from outre "beyond," from Latin ultra "beyond" (from suffixed form of PIE root *al- "beyond").

outrage (n.)

c. 1300, "evil deed, offense, crime; affront, indignity, act not within established or reasonable limits," of food, drink, dress, speech, etc., from Old French outrage "harm, damage; insult; criminal behavior; presumption, insolence, overweening" (12c.), earlier oltrage (11c.), from Vulgar Latin *ultraticum "excess," from Latin ultra "beyond" (from suffixed form of PIE root *al- "beyond").

Etymologically, "the passing beyond reasonable bounds" in any sense; meaning narrowed in English toward violent excesses because of folk etymology from out + rage. Of injuries to feelings, principles, etc., from 1769.

outrageous (adj.)

c. 1300, "excessive, extravagant, exorbitant, immoderate," from Old French outrageus, outrajos "immoderate, excessive, violent, lawless" (Modern French outrageux), from outrage, oltrage, from Vulgar Latin *ultraticum "excess," from Latin ultra "beyond" (from suffixed form of PIE root *al- "beyond"). Meaning "flagrantly evil, atrocious" is late 14c.; modern teen slang usages of it unwittingly approach the original and etymological sense of outrage. Related: Outrageously; outrageousness.

outrage (v.)

c. 1300, outragen, "to go to excess, act immoderately," from outrage (n.) or from Old French oultrager. From 1580s with meaning "do violence to, attack, maltreat." Related: Outraged; outraging.

outrank (v.)

"be superior in rank to, excel in precedence," 1829, from out- + rank (n.). Related: Outranked; outranking.

outreach (n.)

1870, "act or fact of reaching out," from the verbal phrase reach out "to extend or profer;" see out (adv.) + reach (v.). Now, especially, "an organization's involvement in the community" (by 1967). The verb outreach (c. 1400) tends to be used in literal senses: originally "to hand out to," later "to reach or extend beyond" (1560s); in 17c. it could mean "to cheat, deceive."

outrider (n.)

mid-14c., "one who rides out or forth," especially a royal officer charged with collecting taxes, from out- + rider. The verb outride is from c. 1200 as "to ride forth, ride out" (utridan), from 1520s as "pass in riding, ride faster than." Related: Outrode; outridden.

outrigger (n.)

"frame device used in the Pacific and Indian oceans to stabilize canoes," 1748, altered (by influence of rig) from outligger (late 15c.) "a spar projecting from a vessel," probably from the same root as Dutch uitlegger, literally "outlier;" see out- + lie (v.2).

outright (adv.)

c. 1300, "completely, entirely; openly, directly; at once, without hesitation," from out- + right (adj.1)). Meaning "all at once" is attested from c. 1600. As an adjective, "direct, downright," from 1530s.

outrun (v.)

early 14c., outrennen, "to flow out, to issue forth;" mid-14c., "to run out, expire" from out- + run (v.). Sense of "to outstrip in running, run past or beyond" is from mid-15c.; figurative use is from 1650s. Related: Outran; outrunning.

outscore (v.)

in sports and games, "to score more than," 1921, from out- + score (v.). Related: Outscored; outscoring.

outset (n.)

"act of setting out on a journey, business, etc.; a beginning, a setting out," 1759, from out- + set (n.2.); also see set (v.). The earlier word for this was outsetting (1670s).

outshine (v.)

1590s, "shine more brightly than" (trans.), from out- + shine (v.). In this sense perhaps coined by Spenser. It was used in Middle English in an intransitive sense of "resplendent, shining forth" (late 14c.). Figurative sense of "to surpass in splendor or excellence" is from 1610s. Related: Outshone; outshining.

outside (n.)

c. 1500, "outer side, the exterior part or surface of a thing," from out- + side (n.). Meaning "the part or place that lies without or beyond an enclosure or barrier" is from 1610s. In isolated regions of the globe it tends to mean "the world of civilization and settlement" (1827); in prison (and army) slang, "the world outside prison (or the army)," by 1903.

The adjective is attested from 1630s, "being on the outside; to the outer surface or boundary;" as "situated or operating outside (the house, the system, etc.) by 1841; as "not directly concerned or interested" by 1881. As an adverb from 1813 "on the outside, on or to the exterior;" as a preposition from 1826. Colloquial phrase outside of "with exception of" is from 1859. Outside chance "very unlikely chance" is by 1845, originally in horse racing (see outsider).

outsider (n.)

1800, "one who is on the outside" of a boundary, barrier, etc., from outside; the figurative sense of "a person isolated from conventional society" is recorded by 1907. The sense of "a race horse not included among the favorites" is from 1836; hence outside chance (1909).

outsized (adj.)

"larger than average," 1880, from out- + size. As a noun, "a person or thing larger than normal," 1845.

outskirt (n.)

"outer border, section or part that 'skirts' along the edge or boundary," 1590s, from out- + skirt (n.) in its secondary sense of "border, boundary, outlying part" (late 15c.; in plural form skirts by 1570s). Now only in the plural, outskirts; originally in Spenser, and singular.

outsmart (v.)

"to prove too clever for, get the better of by craft or ingenuity," 1926, from out- + smart (adj.). Related: Outsmarted; outsmarting.

outsource (v.)

"obtain goods or a service from an outside or foreign supplier; contract work to an outside entity," especially in reference to work and jobs going overseas, by 1981 (implied in outsourcing), from out- + source (v.). Related: Outsourced.

outspend (v.)

mid-15c., outspenden, "to consume totally, use up," from out- + spend (v.). Meaning "to spend more than another or others" is from 1840. Related: Outspent; outspending. Outspent is attested from 1650s as "exhausted, thoroughly spent or wearied."

outspoken (adj.)

"given to speaking freely, candid, free or bold of speech," 1808, originally Scottish, from out- + -spoken. According to OED, the past participle "has here a resultant force, as in 'well spoken', 'well read'." Related: Outspokenly; outspokenness. Earlier was outspeaking, in reference to the voice, "loud, resonant" (mid-15c.).

outspread (adj.)

"extended, stretched out," 1690s, past-participle adjective from now rare or poetic outspread (v.), mid-14c., from out- + spread (v.).

outstay (v.)

c. 1600, "overstay, remain beyond the limit of;" 1680s, "stay longer than;" from out- + stay (v.). Related: Outstayed; outstaying.

outstanding (adj.)

1610s, "projecting, prominent, detached," from out- + standing (adj.) "having an erect position, upright." Figurative sense of "conspicuous, striking" is recorded from 1830. Meaning "unpaid, unsettled" is from 1797.

The verb outstand is attested in 16c. as "endure successfully, hold out against," now obsolete; the intransitive sense of "to project outward from the main body, stand out prominently" is by 1755 and probably is a back-formation from outstanding. Earlier were outstonden "to stand up" (mid-13c.); outstonding (verbal noun) "a prominence or protuberance" (early 15c.), but these seem not to have survived Middle English. Related: Outstandingly.

outstretch (v.)

"stretch forth, spread out, extend, expand," mid-14c., from out- stretch (v.). Related: Outstretched; outstretching.

outstrip (v.)

1570s, "to pass in running," originally in Lyly, perhaps from out- + Middle English strip "move quickly, make a stroke" (in reference to a weapon). c. 1400, a word of uncertain origin, perhaps from stripe (n.). Or outstrip might be a corruption of outstrike (15c.), from strike (v.) in the old sense of "go, proceed, advance." The figurative sense of "to excel or surpass in anything" is from 1590s. Related: Outstripped; outstripping. The punning references to strip (v.) date from late 19c.

out-take (n.)

also outtake, "rejected part of a film," 1960, from out- + take (n.) in the movie sense. Related: Out-takes.

out-thrust (adj.)

"to extend or project outward," 1820, from out- + thrust (v.). Related: Out-thrusting.

outvote (v.)

also out-vote, "exceed in the number of votes given, defeat by a greater number of votes," 1640s," from out- + vote (v.). Related: Outvoted; outvoting.

outward (adj.)

Old English utweard "to or toward the outside, external" (of an enclosure, a surface, etc.), earlier utanweard, from ute, utan "outside" (from ut; see out) + -weard (see -ward). Compare Old Frisian utward, Old High German uzwertes, German auswärts. Related: Outwardly; outwardness. Outwards, with adverbial genitive, was in Old English.

Meaning "externally apparent, outwardly shown, so as to be exterior or visible" is from late 14c. Of persons, in reference to the external appearance (usually opposed to inner feelings), it is attested from c. 1500. As an adverb, "on the outside," in Old English (utaword); also "away from or out of place or position" (late 13c.).

Outward-bound "directed on a course out from home port" is recorded from c. 1600; with capital initials, it refers to a sea school founded in 1941. Outward man (1520s), in theology refers to "the body," as opposed to the soul or spirit.

outwash (n.)

"material carried from a glacier by meltwater," 1894, from out- + wash (v.).

outwatch (v.)

1620s, "surpass in watching, watch longer than," from out- + watch (v.). Related: Outwatched; outwatching.

outweigh (v.)

"exceed in weight, be heavier than," also figurative, "surpass in gravity or importance," 1590s, from out- + weigh (v.). Related: Outweighed; outweighing.

outwit (v.)

"to get the better of by superior wits, defeat or frustrate by superior ingenuity," 1650s, from out- + wit (n.). Related: Outwitted; outwitting. Middle English had a noun outwit "external powers of perception, bodily senses; knowledge gained by observation or experience" (late 14c.; compare inwit).

outwork (n.)

"part of a fortification outside the parapet; an outer defense," 1610s, from out- + work (n.) "military fortification." Related: Outworks.

outworn (adj.)

"worn out; wasted or consumed by wear, use, or time," 1560s, from out- + worn.

ouzel (n.)

also ousel, an old name for the blackbird, from Old English osle "blackbird," from West Germanic *amslon- (source also of Old High German amsala, German amsel), probably from PIE *ams- "black, blackbird" (source also of Latin merula "blackbird," Welsh mwyalch "blackbird, thrush," Breton moualch "ouzel").

ouzo (n.)

type of liquor flavored with aniseed, 1898, from Modern Greek ouzo, which is of uncertain origin. "A popular etymology" [OED] is that it derives from Italian uso Massalia, literally "for Marsailles," which was stamped on selected packages of silkworm cocoons being shipped from Thessaly, and came to be taken for "of superior quality."

oval (adj.)

"having the longitudinal shape of an egg, elliptical," 1570s, from Modern Latin ovalis "egg-shaped" (source of French oval, 1540s), literally "of or pertaining to an egg," from Latin ovum "egg" (see ovum). The classical Latin word was ovatus (source of ovate (adj.)). Related: Ovalness (1727); ovality (1823). Oval Office "office of the president of the United States in the White House" has been used since 1942 metonymically for "the presidency."

oval (n.)

1560s, "a plane figure in the general shape of the lengthwise outline of an egg," from French ovalle "oval figure," from noun use of Medieval Latin ovalis "of or pertaining to an egg," from Latin ovum "egg" (see ovary). The earliest use of the word in English (mid-15c.) was in reference to a Roman crown awarded as the symbol of an ovatio (see ovation).

Ovaltine

proprietary name of a drink mix, 1906, probably based on Latin ovum "egg" (see ovary), because eggs are one of the ingredients.

ovary (n.)

"that part of the female animal in which eggs are generated," 1650s, from Modern Latin ovarium "ovary" (16c.), from Medieval Latin ovaria "the ovary of a bird" (13c.), from Latin ovum "egg," from PIE *ōwyo‑, *ōyyo‑ "egg," which is perhaps a derivative of the root *awi- "bird." In classical Latin, ovarius meant "egg-keeper," but Thomson ("Autumn") used ovarious (adj.) for "consisting of eggs."

ovarian (adj.)

"of or pertaining to an ovary or the ovaries," 1810, see ovary + -ian. Ovarial in the same sense is attested by 1791.

ovation (n.)

1530s, in the Roman historical sense, from French ovation or directly from Latin ovationem (nominative ovatio) "a triumph, rejoicing," noun of action from past-participle stem of ovare "exult, rejoice, triumph," probably imitative of a shout (compare Greek euazein "to utter cries of joy").

In Roman history, a lesser triumph, granted to a commander for achievements (such as defeat of an inconsiderable enemy, accomplished with little bloodshed), insufficient to entitle him to a triumph proper. The figurative sense of "burst of enthusiastic applause from a crowd" is attested by 1831.

ovate (n.)

1723, from assumed Latin plural Ovatēs, from Greek Ouateis "soothsayers, prophets," mentioned by Strabo as a third order in the Gaulish hierarchy, from Proto-Celtic *vateis, plural of *vatis, cognate with Latin vatis, Old Irish faith, Welsh ofydd. The modern word, and the artificial senses attached to it, are from the 18c. Celtic revival and appear first in Henry Rowlands.

ovate (adj.)

"egg-shaped," 1760, from Latin ovatus "egg-shaped," from ovum "egg" (see ovary).

oven (n.)

Old English ofen "furnace, oven, chamber or receptacle in which food is baked or cooked by continuous heat radiated from the structure," from Proto-Germanic *ukhnaz (source also of Old Frisian, Dutch oven, Old High German ovan, German Ofen, Old Norse ofn, Old Swedish oghn, Gothic auhns), from PIE *aukw- "cooking pot" (source also of Sanskrit ukhah "pot, cooking pot," Latin aulla "pot," Greek ipnos), originally, perhaps, "something hollowed out."

Oven-bird (1825) is a name given to various species that build arched or roofed oven-shaped nests. In slang, in reference to a woman, to have (something) in the oven "to be pregnant" is attested from 1962. Ovenware "dishes that can be used for cooking in an oven" is by 1916 in Pyrex ads.

over (prep., adv.)

Old English ofer "beyond; above, in place or position higher than; upon; in; across, past; more than; on high," from Proto-Germanic *uberi (source also of Old Saxon obar, Old Frisian over, Old Norse yfir, Old High German ubar, German über, Gothic ufar "over, above"), from PIE root *uper "over."

As an adjective from Old English uffera. The senses of "past, done, finished; through the whole extent, from beginning to end" are attested from late 14c. The sense of "so as to cover the whole surface" is from c. 1400. Meaning "leaning forward and down" is from 1540s. The meaning "recovered from" is from 1929. In radio communication, it is used to indicate the speaker has finished speaking (1926).

Phrase over and above (mid-15c.) is pleonastic, for emphasis. Adjective phrase over-the-counter is attested from 1875, originally of stocks and shares. To be (someone) all over "be exactly what one expects of (someone)" is by 1721.

over-

word-forming element meaning variously "above; highest; across; higher in power or authority; too much; above normal; outer; beyond in time, too long," from Old English ofer (from PIE root *uper "over"). Over and its Germanic relations were widely used as prefixes, and sometimes could be used with negative force. This is rare in Modern English, but compare Gothic ufarmunnon "to forget," ufar-swaran "to swear falsely;" Old English ofercræft "fraud."

Among the old words not now existing are Old English oferlufu (Middle English oferlufe), literally "over-love," hence "excessive or immoderate love." Over- in Middle English also could carry a sense of "too little, below normal," as in over-lyght "of too little weight" (c. 1400), overlitel "too small" (mid-14c.), oversmall (mid-13c.), overshort, etc.

overabundance (n.)

also over-abundance, late 14c., overaboundaunce, "excess, superabundance," from over- + abundance. Middle English had also a verb, overabounden (late 14c.) "be very abundant; be too numerous or plentiful."

overabundant (adj.)

also over-abundant, c. 1400, overaboundant, "plentiful; excessive," from over- + abundant. Related: Overabundantly.

overachiever (n.)

also over-achiever, "one who achieves more than is expected," by 1946 in education publications, from over- + agent noun of achieve (v.). Related: Overachieve; overachieving; overachievement.

overact (v.)

1610s, "to go too far in action," from over- + act (v.). Meaning "play a part with too much emphasis, act (a part) with an extravagant and unnatural manner, chew the scenery" is from 1630s. Related: Overacted; overacting.

overage (n.)

"a surplus amount," by 1910, a banking term, coined from over on model of shortage.

over-age (adj.)

that is over a certain age," "1886, from over- + age (n.). Related: Over-aged (n.) "those who are too old" (late 15c.).

overalls (n.)

"loose trousers of a strong material worn by cowboys, etc.," 1782, from over (adv.) + all. Specific sense "loose fitting canvas trousers with a bib and strap top" (originally worn by workmen over other clothes to protect them from wet, dirt, etc.) is attested by 1897. Compare French surtout "overcoat," literally "an over all," from sur- "over" + tout "all."

overall (adv.)

Middle English over-al, from everywhere," Old English phrase ofer eall "everywhere, in every part or place," from ofer "over" (see over) + eall (see all). The original sense seems to be obsolete. The meaning "including everything, taking all into consideration" is from 1894.

overanxious (adj.)

also over-anxious, "anxious to excess, unduly anxious," 1713, from over- + anxious. Related: Overanxiously; overanxiousness.

overarching (adj.)

"forming an arch overhead," 1720, from present participle of verb overarch "to cover with or as with an arch" (1660s), from over- + arch (v.).

overawe (v.)

"subdue or control by fear or superior influence," 1570s, from over- + awe (v.). Perhaps coined by Spenser. Related: Overawed; overawing.

overbear (v.)

mid-14c., overberen, "to carry over, transfer, convey," a sense now obsolete (rendering Latin transferre), from over- + bear (v.). Meaning "to bear down by weight of physical force, overpower," is from 1535 (in Coverdale), originally nautical, of an overwhelming wind; figurative sense of "to overcome and repress by power, authority, etc." is from 1560s.

overbearing (adj.)

"haughty, dictatorial," 1732, figurative present-participle adjective from overbear (v.) in its modern sense "to repress by force, overpower." Earlier the word was used in a literal sense (1670s), but this seems to be obsolete. In Middle English it was a verbal noun, "act of transferring or transporting" (early 15c.).

overbite (n.)

"overlapping of the lower teeth by the upper ones," 1878, from over- + bite (n.).

overblown (adj.)

late 15c., "blown over, passed away" (as a wind or storm), past-participle adjective from verb overblow "to blow over the top of," of a storm, "to abate, pass on" (late 14c.), from over- + blow (v.1). Sense of "past the time of blossoming or blooming" (as a flower), 1610s, is from blow (v.2). Figurative meaning "inflated, puffed up" (with vanity, etc.) is from 1864.

overboard (adv.)

"over the side of a ship," late Old English, from the phrase ofor bord, from over + bord "side of a ship" (see board (n.2)). To throw (something) overboard in the figurative sense of "cast aside, discard, reject" is from 1640s. Figurative sense of "excessively, beyond one's means" (especially in phrase go overboard) is attested by 1931 in Damon Runyon.

overbook (v.)

"to sell more tickets than there are seats," by 1861, from over- + book (v.); originally in reference to coaches. Related: Overbooked; overbooking.

overburden (v.)

also over-burden, "to put too much weight on, load with too great a burden," 1530s, from over- + burden (v.). Earliest uses are figurative. Related: Overburdened; overburdening.

overcast (adj.)

c. 1300, of weather, "covered or overspread with clouds," past-participle adjective from verb overcast (early 13c.), "to place something over or across," also "to cover, to overspread" as with a garment, but usually of clouds, darkness (also "to knock down"), from over- + cast (v.).

overcautious (adj.)

also over-cautious, "more cautious than is needful, excessively cautious," 1706, from over- + cautious. Related: Overcautiously; overcautiousness.

overcharge (v.)

c. 1300, overchargen, "to overload, overburden, load (something) too heavily," from over- + charge (v.). Meaning "to charge someone too much money, demand an excessive price from" is from 1660s. Related: Overcharged; overcharging.

overcloud (v.)

"to cover or overspread with clouds," also figurative, "to cover with gloom or sorrow," 1590s, from over- + cloud (v.). Related: Overclouded; overclouding.

overcoat (n.)

"large coat worn over ordinary clothing," 1802, from over- + coat (n.). Earlier words include overcloth "an outer garment" (late 14c.); overgarment "outer coat" (late 15c.).

overcome (v.)

Old English ofercuman "to reach, overtake, move or pass over," also "to conquer, prevail over, defeat in combat" (the Devil, evil spirits, sin, temptation, etc.), from ofer (see over) + cuman "to come" (see come (v.)). A common Germanic compound (Middle Dutch overkomen, Old High German ubarqueman, German überkommen).

In reference to mental or chemical force, "to overwhelm, render helpless," it is in late Old English. Meaning "to surmount (a difficulty or obstacle); succeed, be successful" is from c. 1200. The Civil Rights anthem "We Shall Overcome" was put together c. 1950s from the lyrics of Charles Tindley's spiritual "I'll Overcome Some Day" (1901) and the melody from the pre-Civil War spiritual "No More Auction Block for Me." Related: Overcame; overcoming.

overcompensate (v.)

also over-compensate, "compensate excessively," 1758 (implied in over-compensated), from over- + compensate. Related: Over-compensating.

overcompensation (n.)

also over-compensation, 1917 in the psychological sense, translating German überkompensation, from over- + compensation. A term used by Alfred Alder to denote exaggerated striving for power in those who have an inner sense of inferiority.

overconfidence (n.)

also over-confidence, "excessive confidence, state of being overconfident," 1700, from over- + confidence.

overconfident (adj.)

also over-confident, "confident to excess," 1610s, from over- + confident. Related: Overconfidently.

overcorrection (n.)

also over-correction, "an excessive or too frequent correction," 1828, from over- + correction.

overcrowd (v.)

also over-crowd, "fill or crowd to excess," 1766, from over- + crowd (v.). Related: Overcrowded; overcrowding.

overdo (v.)

Old English oferdon "to do too much, be excessive or immoderate, exceed the proper limit," also in late Old English transitive, "to do (something) to excess," from ofer (see over) + don (see do (v.)). A common Germanic formation (compare Old High German ubartuan). Meaning "to overtax, exhaust, fatigue by too much action" (especially in phrase to overdo it) is attested from 1817. Of food, "to cook too long," is by 1680s (implied in past-participle adjective overdone).

overdone (adj.)

late Old English ofer-done "carried to excess, immoderate, too much;" see overdo. Of meat, etc., "cooked too much," from 1680s.

overdose (v.)

1727, "to administer medicine in too large a dose" (transitive); from 1968 as "to take an overdose of drugs" (intransitive); see over- + dose (v.). Related: Overdosed; overdosing.

overdose (n.)

1700, "an excessive or too large dose," from over- + dose (n.).

overdrive (n.)

"speed-increasing gear in an automobile," 1929, from over- + drive (n.). Earlier it was a transitive verb, "to drive too hard, work to exhaustion," Old English oferdrifan.

overdraft (n.)

by 1841 in the banking sense "action of overdrawing an account;" by 1891 as "amount by which a draft exceeds the sum against which it is drawn;" from over- + draft (n.). Also, in ovens, furnaces, etc., "a draft of air passing over, but not through, the ignited fuel," by 1884.