overlayn.
/ˈəʊvəleɪ/, U.S. /ˈoʊvərˌleɪ/ 1.
a. A thing laid over something else; a covering, an overlying layer, etc. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > parts of cart or carriage > [noun] > cover or tilt
overlay1456
tillet1497
tilt1620
overlayer1811
sail1850
wagon-sail1850
coverture1856
the world > space > relative position > high position > position upon > [noun] > placing upon or above > that which is laid on something else
superimposure1875
overlay1881
society > occupation and work > workplace > places where raw materials are extracted > quarry > [noun] > parts of quarry
heugh1592
jad1871
butt1884
overlay1886
1456 Will of Geoffrey Mascy in W. F. Irvine Coll. Lancs. & Cheshire Wills (1896) 12 (MED) Also I bewhethe xx marks to bye an averlay of marbul to lye in the said chappell aver my body.
1588 Inventory of William Allens 6 Mar. in Of Good & Perfect Remembrance: Bolton Wills & Inventories (1987) 6 One turfwayne 2 packe sadles 2 woomtoes 2 orleyes 2 payre of panyers.
1656 in P. C. D. Brears Yorkshire Probate Inventories 1542–1689 113 In the Stable Chamber..Five load sadles fower overlayes fower wanteyes.
1793 Private MS in Sc. National Dict. VI. 527/2 Two Overlays [for an open fire] and Collop Tongs.
1794 T. Davis Gen. View Agric. Wilts. 69 The waggons..seldom use any overlays or outriggers.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) O'erlay, a coverlet or cloak.
1881 E. Lynn Linton My Love! II. ix. 170 She had determined to brave her memories and suppress them by the overlay of a new association.
1886 J. Barrowman Gloss. Sc. Mining Terms 48 Overlay, the material above the rock in a quarry.
1949 H. M. Cautley Norfolk Churches 38 Another feature came into perfection, namely the overlay, with its imposed and crocketted hood-moulds on the face of tracery.
1972 H. Kurath Stud. Area Ling. viii. 124 The replaced language was an overlay (superstratum), as French in England or Frankish in northern France.
1992 Sew Beautiful (U.S.) Special Occasions Issue 28 The mother of the bride wore pink Nelona with an overlay of ecru English lace.
b. Printing. A sheet, now usually of paper treated according to one of several possible methods, or of special gel, made to a required shape and pasted over the impression-surface of a printing press in order to make the impression darker in particular places, in printing a woodcut or other illustration.
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society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > printmaking > [noun] > overlaying > overlay
overlay1824
patch1915
1824 J. Johnson Typographia II. xv. 521 Should any wood cuts be in the form,..if too low, they may be humoured a little by means of an overlay.
1888 J. F. Wilson & D. Grey Pract. Treat. Mod. Printing Machines xxi. 337 The object of an overlay is..to intensify the pressure upon the dark parts or solids, that they may be firm and bright, and to lessen the impression upon the lighter shades, in order to give them..delicacy and cleanliness.
1946 V. S. Ganderton in H. Whetton Pract. Printing & Binding xi. 132/2 In letterpress the gradation in tone of a half-tone plate corresponds to a gradation in resistance to pressure... The object of an interlay or overlay is to balance the variation in resistance by varying the pressure on the different areas.
1960 G. A. Glaister Gloss. Bk. 324/2 Two powders are used for the overlay... The layer of powder..is fused into a solid film by heating it... Where the overlay is placed directly under the top sheet.., this should be of waxed manila.
1973 S. Jennett Making of Bks. (ed. 5) ix. 144 Blocks are prepared for printing in a special pre-make-ready department... Overlays to be pasted on the cylinder of the press are prepared in this department.
c. A transparent sheet placed over a map or diagram, a piece of artwork, etc., to carry instructions or additional material, or (esp. in Photography and Film) to form part of a composite image. Now also: a computer-generated graphic superimposed on an image.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > representation > a plastic or graphic representation > graphic representation > drawing plans or diagrams > [noun] > transparent sheet with extra details
overlay1938
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > printmaking > surface and planographic printing > printing from metal or plastic plates > [noun] > materials
overlay1964
counter-etch1967
1938 E. Raisz Gen. Cartogr. xv. 172 Transparent tracing papers are made of straw and cornstalk base and are used in map work for sketching, for copying, and for tissue overlays which indicate various colors and tints.
1964 G. Lyall Most Dangerous Game vi. 45 I did the real work using a celluloid overlay with wax-pencil marks.
1974 J. Craig Production for Graphic Designer 172/1 The copy for each additional color is pasted on acetate overlays, each one representing a color.
1982 B. Seaton Handbk. Eng. Lang. Teaching Terms & Pract. (BNC) 12 Transparencies [on an overhead projector] can be revealed as the lesson progresses... By using overlays, one can build up a picture stage by stage.
1992 Byte July 146/2 The most common type of graphical overlay is the title, which is often used to identify the person or thing on-screen or to add other textual information without obscuring the video playing underneath.
d. A layer of coloured glass added on top of (esp. clear) glass in decorative glassware, esp. paperweights. Chiefly attributive (see Compounds 2).
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society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > ornamental glass-work > [noun] > glass-colouring > other decorative or coloured glass
haematinon1706
ruby glass1757
gold stone1769
aventurine1811
ruby1839
millefiori1849
schmelz1849
Venetian filigree1852
Bristol1880
favrile1902
Schmelzglas1904
overlay1940
1940 E. H. Bergstrom Old Glass Paperweights ii. 12 In an encrusted overlay weight, the color overlays and faceting were apparently followed by a final dip into clear crystal.
1954 E. M. Elville Paperweights i. 16 Overlays were usually made with the millefiori mushroom in a crystal globe..given..a final casing of a colour such as red, blue or green.
1989 Miller's Collectables Price Guide 1989–90 202/3–4 A Russian blue glass globular bowl, with dark green overlay.
e. Biology. A layer of gel spread on top of a layer of cells in culture, often containing a substance that will indicate the presence or absence of some cell product.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > processes > [noun] > culturing > gelling layer
overlay1950
1950 Science 6 Jan. 9/1 The medium was composed of a thioglycollate preparation.., horse serum, and the overlay of NIH diphasic blood-agar cultures.
1954 Jrnl. Exper. Med. 99 168 The agar overlay, used to overlay the cultures after infection, consisted of 12 parts of 2·7 per cent agar (A), 12 parts of neutral red solution (B), 8 parts of fourfold Earle's saline (C), and 5 parts of embryo extract (D).
1974 Nature 20 Dec. 745/2 Virus pools were grown in Vero cells and titrated by plaque assay with a methylcellulose overlay.
1989 Science 27 Jan. 541/1 It may be possible to use peptides to investigate protein-protein interactions mediated by leucine repeats with affinity chromatography, protein gel overlay, [etc.].
f. Computing. A transparent plastic layer containing pressure-sensitive regions which may be placed over a display screen or other changeable background and used as an input device.
ΚΠ
1973 ASSC 73 Symposium Rec. (IEEE) 88 A programmable keyboard-display interactive terminal..utilizes a plasma-panel display, overlaid with a 4*4 matrix of transparent pressure-activated switches... The display overlay switches of this terminal make it ideal for interactive control of arbitrarily complex procedures.
1975 IBM Techn. Disclosure Bull. 18 231 This arrangement provides a low-cost transparent keyboard for applications ranging from a full bank keyboard, to a cathode-ray tube overlay.
1984 Freetime Autumn 53/3 To operate, just slide an overlay on to the Touchmaster surface, load the software into your computer, then touch the overlay with a finger and you're off.
2. Scottish. Originally: †a band or collar worn falling flat round the neck (obsolete). Later (now historical): a neckerchief, a cravat, a necktie. Cf. overlayer n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [noun] > neck-tie or cravat
overlayera1547
overlayc1590
tie1763
c1590–1600 Acct. Bk. W. Morton f. 38v Ane dosone bonet moches. Item mar 2 dosone ouerlais.
1596 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) I. ii. 386 The thrifteous steling..of..ane camrige owrla.
1629 in S. Ree Rec. Elgin (1908) II. 208 [To] sit..on the stule without ether ruff, ouerlay or handkuffs about him.
c1700 J. Maidment New Bk. Old Ballads (1885) 10 Ane ourlar [sic] bout hims craigie.
1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd i. ii. 9 He falds his Owrelay down his Breast with Care.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary III. vii. 148 The Captain says a three-nookit hankercher is the maist fashionable overlay.
1884 C. Rogers Social Life Scotl. I. vii. 245 The usual necktie or overlay was a square tweeling of coarse yarn.
1896 D. Macara & D. Kippen Crieff II. 279 Wi bonnet sae vaunty an owerlay sae clean.
1957 M. B. Picken Fashion Dict. 239/1 Overlay, Scottish term for neck covering or cravat.
3. Dentistry. = onlay n. 2.
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the world > health and disease > healing > dentistry > [noun] > a restoration > overlay
overlay1935
1935 G. M. Anderson Dewey's Pract. Orthodontia (ed. 5) xxi. 443 To stabilize the canine anchorage, the canine overlays are connected on the lingual surface with a clasp metal wire.
1954 Brit. Dental Jrnl. 97 268/1 An upper acrylic bite overlay, sliding the mandible forward at the same time as opening the bite, gave complete relief in three days by preventing the condyles from being forced back in the fossæ.
1997 Jrnl. Oral Rehabilitation 24 678 The movement of arbitrary condylar points on the non-working side..was compared with that after placement of the overlays.
4. U.S. Unjustifiably or unexpectedly high betting odds given against a horse, esp. in comparison with the morning line; a bet at such odds.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > [noun] > odds > high odds
poundage1816
overlay1942
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §734/3 Overlay, better odds gotten against a horse than the horse deserves according to his chances to win.
1944 Sun (Baltimore) 21 Sept. 17/4 There is always a section that keeps in keen pursuit of the ‘overlay’, which means a horse rated, say, at 4 to 1 which closes at 10 to 1 or 12 to 1, well above his ‘morning line’ price.
1944 D. Runyon Runyon à la Carte (1946) 102 Everybody around is saying The Sky makes a terrible over-lay of the natural price in giving Brandy Bottle a G against his soul.
1996 Breeder's Cup Racing Form 26 Oct. 7/2 Potentially a juicy overlay in a race where favorites have struggled.
5. Computing. The process of transferring a block of instructions or data to internal storage in place of what is already there, esp. in order to utilize a limited high-speed memory for those parts of a program that are in active use. Also: a section of program so transferred.
ΘΚΠ
society > computing and information technology > hardware > [noun] > memory > way of using
bank switching1953
overlay1963
paging1966
roll-in roll-out1971
1963 Automatic Data Processing Gloss. (U.S. Bureau of Budget) 38/1 Overlay, a technique for bringing routines into high-speed storage during processing, so that several routines will occupy the same storage location at different times.
1969 P. B. Jordain Condensed Computer Encycl. 367 When a program and its data are too large for the computer, the program must be divided into segments and so constructed that only the active segments (or overlays) need be in core.
1972 J.-L. Baer in A. F. Cardenas et al. Computer Sci. v. 170 If subroutines A and B will never call each other, then they can occupy the same positions in memory. If, at run-time, B is called while A is present, an overlay will be performed replacing A by B, and vice versa.
1991 Personal Computer World Feb. 257/2 If you still run out of memory after using all these tips, consider splitting your program into smaller units or, if you are using TP 5.0 or above, use overlays.
Compounds
C1. General attributive, esp. in overlay mattress.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > bed > bedding > [noun] > mattress > other types
box mattress1855
poncho mattress1862
overlay mattress1907
biscuit1915
dog biscuit1925
Posturepedic1946
interior spring mattress1948
California king1997
1907 Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 470/1 Overlay Picture Mounts. (Cut to order only.)
1914 Times 9 June 1/6 (advt.) Hamptons' ‘Marlowe’ Bedstead..with caned panel at head and foot. Fitted with a woven wire spring mattress, a hair overlay mattress, a feather bolster, [etc.].
1953 B.U. Encycl. Handbk. (Bedding Publications Ltd.) App. 198 Upholstered overlay mattresses with spring or cellular rubber interior.
1970 E. A. D. Hutchings Surv. Printing Processes iv. 57 Many of these operations [in make-ready] can be carried out..in the pre-press department, using..precision equipment such as mechanical overlay systems.
1992 ENT News May 26/2 A middle ear cholesteatoma might arise if performing the overlay technique. The overlay myringoplasty was performed in 1500 consecutive ears by raising a meatal skin flap.
1997 A. Berman Compl. Bk. Floors 82 Overlay flooring can be laid either over existing floorboards or on a solid concrete floor.
C2. overlay glass, overlay paperweight, overlay weight: see sense 1d.
ΚΠ
1940 E. H. Bergstrom Old Glass Paperweights ii. 12 In an encrusted overlay weight, the color overlays and faceting were apparently followed by a final dip into clear crystal to complete the weight.
1958 G. B. Hughes Eng. Glass for Collector 1660–1860 xx. 220 Those who toured the Continent in the early nineteenth century enthusiastically adorned their dining-tables and dressing rooms on their return with specimens of colourful Bohemian work known as cased or overlay glass.
1967 P. G. Wodehouse Company for Henry iii. 45 A French eighteenth-century paperweight alluded to as follows:..Clichy double overlay weight.
1973 J. Mackay Glass Paperweights viii. 54 The majority of these overlay weights are doubles with an inner overlay of white and an outer overlay in shades of red, green or blue.
1999 Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) (Nexis) 25 July aa1 (caption) ‘Gingham’, an encased overlay paperweight, was produced between 1845 and 1855 in France.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
overlayv.
/ˌəʊvəˈleɪ/, U.S. /ˌoʊvərˈleɪ/ I. To lay one thing over another. † 3.
1. transitive. To lay or place (something) over, above, or top of something else; to superimpose (one thing) on or upon another.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > high position > position upon > be upon (something) [verb (transitive)] > place (a thing) upon
onlayOE
overlayOE
to put ona1382
overcast?a1400
dight1572
superimpose1712
superposit1742
superpose1798
OE Regularis Concordia (Tiber.) (1993) li. 107 Superponantque linteum altari : & oferlencgan [read overlecgan] þæt lin þam weofode.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Qiiv/1 To Ouerlay, superponere.
1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 33 If..what it wanted of being a load to any part of the body, it did not with a heavie advantage overlay upon the spirit.
1761 Ann. Reg. 1760 136 A guard..forced us into the hold, and overlaid the hatches.
1855 R. Browning Cleon in Men & Women II. 175 He did not overlay them, superimpose The new upon the old and blot it out, But laid them on a level.
1860 R. W. Emerson Fate in Conduct of Life (London ed.) 35 All the toys that infatuate men..are the selfsame thing, with a new gauze or two of illusion overlaid.
1953 A. Upfield Murder must Wait iv. 36 On some of her clothes is a name tag with the initials P.R. overlaid on others which could be J.O. or J.U.
1989 Media Internat. May 22/4 By simply overlaying relevant language copy over the basic artwork in each country they can achieve effective outdoor advertising.
2. † b. transitive. To surmount or span (one thing) with another. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To cover the surface of (a thing) with something; to spread or deck all over with. Also figurative.In quot. eOE with object implied and with mid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > thickly or overwhelmingly
mat1577
farce1582
smothera1592
smother1598
overlay1993
eOE Bald's Leechbk. (Royal) (1865) ii. xviii. 200 Seoð eall mid þy ele & þonne mid hnescre wulle beþe mid þy wose lange þa swiðran sidan & þonne oferlege mid wulle.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xiii. 231 (MED) Lond ouere-layde with marle and with donge, Whete þat wexeth þer-on worth lygge ar hit ripe.
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure 3253 A duches dereworthily dyghte..In a surcott of sylke full selkouthely hewede, All with loyotour ouerlaide lowe to þe hemmes.
1482 Monk of Evesham 21 As a manne had ouyr leyde hem with mekyl bloode.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 32 (MED) All this warld aboute With floodis so stoute..Shall be ouerlaide.
1573 R. Sempill in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. 268 The suddartis luiffis wes sa ouirlaid wt lyme.
1646 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple 39 E're Hebe's hand had overlaid His smooth cheekes, with a downy shade.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. ii. 24 The Lack, with which Cabinets and other fine things are overlaid.
1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure II. 16 Dress, or ornaments, such as silly women rather confound, and overlay, than set off their beauty with.
1781 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. x. 17 The defect..of being overlaid with drapery.
1857 J. Ruskin Polit. Econ. Art i. 30 You may make kings' thrones of it, and overlay temple gates with it.
1887 W. Morris tr. Homer Odyssey I. xii. 227 Then they cut the steaks of the buttock which with fat they overlaid.
1993 Collins Compl. DIY Man. (new ed.) iii. 177/3 The floor must first be covered with a scree of sand and cement before it can be overlaid with a floorcovering.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > extend over or across > cause to
stretcha1225
overstretchc1500
overlay?1609
streek1787
?1609 G. Chapman tr. Homer Twelue Bks. Iliads vi. 105 The horse-haire plume, with which he was so ouerlaide.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iii. 332 To..over-lay With bridges rivers proud. View more context for this quotation
c. Printing. transitive and intransitive. To apply an overlay to (the impression-surface of a printing press). Cf. overlay n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > preparatory processes > composing > compose [verb (transitive)] > adjust to type-height
underlay1683
patch1884
overlay1888
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > printmaking > print or reproduce [verb] > overlay
overlay1888
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 93 Overlay, to make ready by overlaying—the reverse of underlaying.
1894 Amer. Dict. Printing & Bookmaking 413/1 Overlay,..to secure proper effects in printing by means of graduated impression between the impressing surface and the sheet, using different thicknesses of paper.
1907 Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 9 July 872/1 The proper graduation of tone on the imprint can be obtained without ‘making ready’ or ‘overlaying’ the impression-cylinder.
1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 604/2 Overlay.., to adjust the impression surface of a machine by cutting and patching.
a. transitive. To cover over excessively; spec. to overstock (a pasture) with cattle. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > management of pasture > use as pasture [verb (transitive)] > stock or overstock pasture
surcharge1480
overlay?1523
stocka1640
overstock1842
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxx Beestes alone..woll nat eate a pasture euyn: but leaue many tuftes and high grasse in dyuers places, except it be ouer layed with cattell.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 50 A pastur ys over layd wyth catel, wher therin be mo then may be convenyently nuryschyd & fed.
1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry f. 49 For coueting much, ouer laye not thy ground, & then shall thy cattle, be lusty & sound.
b. transitive. To supply or lay on in excessive quantities. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (transitive)] > go beyond (bounds) > overdo or do to excess
overdoOE
overlay1836
1836 J. Grant Random Recoll. House of Lords xiii. 270 He was..ample in his illustrations without overlaying them.
II. To lie over something.† 4. † 5. transitive. To spread across (a place, area, region, etc.); esp. to overrun, to occupy in large numbers. Obsolete.† 6. transitive. To extend to, include in its scope. Obsolete. rare.† 10. transitive. Nautical. To cross the cable or anchor of (another vessel) so as to cause chafing or obstruction; (also) to cross (another ship's cable or anchor) with this result. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To overwhelm, overpower, crush by force (a person, military force, etc.); to press heavily upon, oppress. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > oppression > oppress [verb (transitive)]
ofsiteOE
forthringOE
overlayOE
ofsetOE
to tread down, under foot, in the mire, to the ground, to piecesc1175
overseta1200
defoulc1300
oppressa1382
overpressa1382
overchargec1390
overleadc1390
overliea1393
thringa1400
overcarkc1400
to grind the faces (occasionally face) ofa1425
press?a1425
downthringc1430
vicea1525
tread1526
to hold (also keep, bring, put) one's nose to the grindstonea1533
tyrannizea1533
wring1550
downpress1579
bepress1591
defoil1601
ingrate1604
crush1611
grinda1626
macerate1637
trample1646
the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > afflict > oppress or afflict
heavyc897
narroweOE
overlayOE
overseamOE
twingea1300
to weigh downa1340
grieve1340
besit1377
oppressc1384
foila1400
thringa1400
empressc1400
enpressc1400
aska1425
press?a1425
peisea1450
straita1464
constraina1500
overhale1531
to grate on or upon1532
wrack1562
surcharge1592
to lie heavy uponc1595
to weigh back, on one side, to the earth1595
to sit on ——1607
to sit upon ——1607
gall1614
bear1645
weight1647
obsess1648
aggrieve1670
swinge1681
lean1736
gravitate1754
weigh1794
OE Homily (Corpus Cambr. 419) in B. Assmann Angelsächsische Homilien u. Heiligenleben (1889) 142 Hit nis na riht on Cristenum folce, þæt sume scylon mid oferæte and mid oferdrence beon oferlede and sume hungre cwylmede.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 27883 He es ouerlaid wit drunkenhede.
c1450 (a1400) Orologium Sapientiæ in Anglia (1888) 10 362 (MED) For by what-maner deth hee be ouerleyde, hee schalbe purged and brouȝte to þe siȝte of alle-myghty god.
c1475 (?c1451) Bk. Noblesse (Royal) (1860) 9 (MED) Ye..overleid and put in subgeccion the gret myghte and power of the feers and puissaunt figheters of alle straunge nacions that presumed to set ayenst this lande.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 161 (MED) The peple of Pharien were sore ouerleide.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 2 Cor. iv. f. xlixv We are on euery syde ouerlayed with aduersitie.
1593 Queen Elizabeth I tr. Boethius De Consolatione Philosophiæ in Queen Elizabeth's Englishings (1899) i. Pr. iv. 12 Me thinkes I see..euery wickedst man overlayeng me with new fraudes of accusation.
1634 J. Russell Two Famous Pitcht Battels Lypsich & Lutzen 61 Those Imperials..with such massie Squadrons overlaid The Swedish Troups, that they were backward swaid.
1677 A. Marvell Acct. Growth Popery 61 They were overlaid by Numbers.
1732 H. Fielding Old Debauchees ii. 28 I am slain, I am overlaid, I am murdered.
1770 Ann. Reg. 1769 21 The shattered remains of Prosorowski's army..were continually overlaid and oppressed by the Turkish cavalry.
b. transitive. In weakened use: to press upon so as to impede the operation of (the mind, reason, etc.); to overburden, encumber, set back (a person, organization, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > hinder in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > encumber
accumberc1275
encumberc1386
accloy1422
overlay1441
cumber1493
poister1523
pester1533
overgrowa1550
clog1564
cloy1564
aggravate1573
trasha1616
hamper1775
mither1847
lumber1861
1441 in J. Raine Corr., Inventories, Acct. Rolls, & Law Proc. Priory of Coldingham (1841) 118 (MED) The said Davy wyth his repayr suld overlay the house of Coldynham, till grett hyndryng therof.
c1450 (a1400) Orologium Sapientiæ in Anglia (1888) 10 330 (MED) Mye love descharges hem þat beþ ouerleyde with þe heve birþene of sinnes.
?a1475 (a1396) W. Hilton Scale of Perfection (Harl. 6579) i. xlviii. f. 33 (MED) Þi reson schal nouȝt ben ouerleide wiþ erþli bisinesse.
1598 Floure & Leafe in T. Speght Wks. G. Chaucer f. 366/2 There is no heart I deme in such dispaire Ne with thoughts froward and contraire So ouerlaid but it should soone haue bote.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. D iij b Diocletian and Maximian being overlaied with businesse, adopted unto them two Cæsars.
1663 King Charles II in J. M. Cartwright Madame (1894) 137 I have been overlayd with businesse.
a1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Metamorphoses in Wks. (1885) XII. 72 The stars, no longer overlaid with weight, Exert their heads from underneath the mass, And upward shoot.
1744 G. Berkeley Siris (ESTC T72826) §298 Men in those early days were not overlaid with languages and literature.
1781 T. Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry III. xix. 12 Petrarch would have been a better poet had he been a worse scholar. Our author's mind was not too much overlaid by learning.
1844 Ld. Brougham Albert Lunel III. ix. 266 He neither overlays you with his books nor his adventures.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > coating or covering with a layer > coat or cover with a layer [verb (transitive)]
lay?a1366
overlaya1400
coverc1400
sheeta1616
glidder1631
candy1639
face1648
to do over1700
coat1753
candify1777
bed1839
to lay down1839
overcoat1861
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > spread or draw over (a thing) as covering for > bespread or cover with
wryc950
bredeOE
bridgeOE
bespreadc1275
couchc1330
spreadc1330
cover1382
overspreadc1385
overlaya1400
overcast1440
to draw overc1450
ramplish1494
to lay over1535
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 5934 Frosse..al þe land ouer-laid a-boute.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 5504 (MED) Þai haue your landes ouer-laid; Ioseph kin ouer-ganges all, Þat to our eldres was a thrall.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 13464 (MED) Þe dales was wit folk ouer-laid [a1400 Trin. Cambr. ouer leide].
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Merlin (1932) III. l. 18295 (MED) Gaweyn..Sawh the feel[d] al ouer-leyd [Fr. estoient couert] with Sesoignes.
1570 R. Sempill in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xii. 139 Ȝe feir the Frenchemen suld ouerlay thir landis.
1612 in R. S. Barclay Court Bk. Orkney & Shetland (1962) 19 Beggeris..that repairis..thruch the cuntrey and overlayis the same, begging woll, fisch and cornis.
a1733 Shetland Acts in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scotl. (1892) 26 35 That all horses..oppressing and overlaying the neighbourhood, be instantly removed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > include [verb (transitive)] > include in its scope
comprehendc1386
overlaya1400
sweep1692
cover1793
involve1847
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 27096 (MED) Min on his ouer-sight Þat al wranges has to right, On þiskin sight þat al ouer-lais [a1400 Fairf. ouer laise]..alle þis werld..Es nackind forwit cristis ei.
7. † b. transitive. To have sexual intercourse with (a woman); = overlie v. 2b. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To lie over or on top of so as to suffocate (a child, etc.); to smother by lying on; = overlie v. 2a. Now rare and archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by smothering or suffocation
smorec725
athrysmc885
stranglea1300
overliea1382
forliea1400
to stop the breath (more rarely the wind) ofc1400
overlayc1425
querken1440
smoulder1481
suffoke1490
stiflea1535
smoor1535
smother1548
suffocate1599
asphyxiate1835
asphyxy1843
c1425 (c1390) G. Chaucer Parson's Tale (Petworth) I. 575 If a womman by necligence ouerleiþ her childe in sclepinge, it is homycide.
1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes 170 When the weomen are heavy a sleepe..they many times overlay the poore infant, and so smother it alive.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie O 173 Sowes Ouerlaie and squise to death their pigges.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Kings iii. 19 And this womans childe died in the night: because she ouerlaid it. View more context for this quotation
1650 in W. M. Ogilvie Extracts Rec. Presbytery of Brechin (1876) 51 [She] confessed..that she was the death of two of her own bairnes, the one being overlayed be her.
1704 in D. Webster Coll. Tracts Witchcraft (1820) 143 Helen Johnston having overlaid her child the night after it was baptized.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. xxxii. 175 He would hire the Nurse to over-lay him.
1786 G. White Jrnl. 17 May (1970) xix. 276 Timothy Turner's sow brings 20 pigs, some of which she..overlaid; so that they were soon reduced to 13.
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick lviii. 307 Like a savage tigress that tossing in the jungle overlays her own cubs.
1863 C. Kingsley Water-babies v. 199 All the little children who are overlaid.
1907 A. Bennett Grim Smile of Five Towns 297 A certain baby was dead... Its parents had been censured by the jury for criminal carelessness in overlaying it.
1941 C. Reynolds Glory Hill Farm xiii. 147 She did not deliver herself of a full-blown litter, as she had only four, and one of these she overlaid.
1976 G. Butler Vesey Inheritance vi. 191 Stories of babies that were ‘overlaid’ in the crowded box beds of the cottages.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with > specifically of a man
jape1382
overliec1400
swivec1405
foilc1440
overlay?a1475
bed1548
possess1592
knock1598
to get one's leg over1599
enjoy1602
poke1602
thrum1611
topa1616
riga1625
swingea1640
jerk1650
night-work1654
wimble1656
roger1699
ruta1706
tail1778
to touch up1785
to get into ——c1890
root1922
to knock up1934
lay1934
pump1937
prong1942
nail1948
to slip (someone) a length1949
to knock off1953
thread1958
stuff1960
tup1970
nut1971
pussy1973
service1973
?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 129 (MED) But if sum man þe had ovyr-layd, þi wombe xulde never be so gret, i-wys.
a1627 T. Middleton Witch (1945) i. ii. 91 I have a great mind to overlay a fat parson's daughter.
a1692 W. Mountfort Life & Death Faustus (1697) 23 He had a colt's tooth, and over-laid one of his maids; yet, what of that? All Flesh is Frail.
8. transitive. To conceal or obscure as if by covering up; to render indistinct or imperceptible by interposition.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > hide, conceal [verb (transitive)]
heeleOE
forhelec888
i-hedec888
dernc893
hidec897
wryOE
behelec1000
behidec1000
bewryc1000
forhidec1000
overheleOE
hilla1250
fealc1325
cover1340
forcover1382
blinda1400
hulsterc1400
overclosec1400
concealc1425
shroud1426
blend1430
close1430
shadow1436
obumber?1440
mufflea1450
alaynec1450
mew?c1450
purloin1461
to keep close?1471
oversilec1478
bewrap1481
supprime1490
occulta1500
silec1500
smoor1513
shadec1530
skleir1532
oppressa1538
hudder-mudder1544
pretex1548
lap?c1550
absconce1570
to steek away1575
couch1577
recondite1578
huddle1581
mew1581
enshrine1582
enshroud1582
mask1582
veil1582
abscondc1586
smotherc1592
blot1593
sheathe1594
immask1595
secret1595
bemist1598
palliate1598
hoodwinka1600
overmaska1600
hugger1600
obscure1600
upwrap1600
undisclose1601
disguise1605
screen1611
underfold1612
huke1613
eclipsea1616
encavea1616
ensconcea1616
obscurify1622
cloud1623
inmewa1625
beclouda1631
pretext1634
covert1647
sconce1652
tapisa1660
shun1661
sneak1701
overlay1719
secrete1741
blank1764
submerge1796
slur1813
wrap1817
buttress1820
stifle1820
disidentify1845
to stick away1900
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. vii. sig. G3 Phœbus golden face it did attaint, As when a cloud his beames doth ouer-lay.
1719 E. Young Busiris Prol. sig. A8 Nor wou'd these Scenes in empty Words abound, Or overlay the Sentiment with Sound.
1841 J. F. W. Herschel Ess. (1857) 535 Sufficient..to overlay and conceal that minute quantity of which astronomers were in search.
1886 J. A. Symonds Catholic Reaction in Renaissance in Italy (1898) VII. xii. 198 Though the words were more intelligible, the fugal artifices overlaid their clear enunciation.
1937 ‘M. J. Farrell’ Rising Tide vi. 42 A habit of obedience overlaid the tumultuous desires and suppressions of her young daughters.
1994 Esquire Mar. 130/1 A glaze began to overlay her vision..and it occurred to her that the pipe held more than tobacco.
9. transitive. To lie upon or over the top of; = overlie v. 1. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > high position > position upon > be upon (something) [verb (transitive)]
overlieeOE
ridec1460
to consist on?c1550
overlay1793
over-cap1839
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §143 (note) A piece of strong timber overlaying the bows of a vessel.
1807 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life II. xvii. 120 Overlaying one of your arms till it is cramped, and exposing the other till it is frost-bitten.
1878 T. Hardy Return of Native I. i. i. 11 The above-mentioned highway traversed the lower levels of the heath, from one horizon to another. In many portions of its course it overlaid an old vicinal way, which branched from the great Western road of the Romans.
1910 Encycl. Brit. I. 964/1 The inner or eastern ridge..consists of crystalline rocks with infolded Ordovician and cambrian beds, often overlaid uncomfortably by a sandstone with plant-remains (chiefly Rhaetic).
1975 Times Lit. Suppl. 16 May 526/4 This kind of insight overlays the patterns of his works, and the enjoyment of his art is as much the enjoyment of the overlay as it is of the patterns themselves.
1988 New Yorker 4 July 79/2 Some of those reservations were overlaying great pools of oil.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > berthing, mooring, or anchoring > berth, moor, or anchor (a ship) [verb (transitive)] > anchor (a ship) > foul (cable or anchor)
foul1777
overlay1796
thwart1809
1796 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1846) VII. p. xciv The damage a Swedish Vessel's cable sustained by the Peterel's overlaying her.
1854 G. B. Richardson Univ. Code (ed. 12) v. 419 You will overlay my anchor.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1456v.eOE