overpassn.
/ˈəʊvəpɑːs/, /ˈəʊvəpas/, U.S. /ˈoʊvərˌpæs/ Originally U.S.
A raised stretch of road or railway line that passes over another road or railway line; a flyover; a footbridge.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > other means of passage or access > [noun] > bridge > over lock, road, or railway
lock bridge1804
railway bridge1830
overbridge1876
flyover1901
overpass1929
overcross1950
1929 Amer. City Oct. 104/2 In certain cases where the construction of under- or over-passes cannot be avoided..my system simplifies them to an astonishing extent.
1959 Daily Tel. 9 Nov. 1/1 But they refused to allow a car, scooter or even a bicycle to be pushed on these overpass roads.
1973 H. Nielsen Severed Key i. 11 The traffic lanes leading away from the airport were packed. Once over the overpass, Keith made a sharp right turn.
2003 Jakarta Post (Nexis) 4 Feb. The administration needs to build more pedestrian overpasses and new bus shelters along the median.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
overpassv.
/ˌəʊvəˈpɑːs/, /ˌəʊvəˈpas/, U.S. /ˌoʊvərˈpæs/ I. Physical senses.
1. transitive. To pass over, travel over; to traverse (a tract of land, a distance, etc.). Also (occasionally) intransitive.In quot. a1540 with implication of subjugation or oppression; cf. overrun v. 5a.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > traverse a distance or ground
runeOE
overcomeOE
meteOE
through-gangOE
passc1300
to pass over ——c1300
overpassc1325
tracec1381
travela1393
traverse?a1400
travelc1400
measure?a1425
walkc1450
go1483
journey1531
peragrate1542
trade1548
overspin1553
overtrace1573
tract1579
progress1587
invade1590
waste1590
wear1596
march1606
void1608
recovera1625
expatiate1627
lustrate1721
do1795
slip1817
cover1818
clear1823
track1823
itinerate1830
betravel1852
to roll off1867
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 228 (MED) He ssulde mani lond over passi & wende.
1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) xiii. v. sig. Cvv/1 The ryuer Nilus makyth the londe that he ouerpassyth be full plenteuous of corne and fruyte.
a1540 (c1460) G. Hay tr. Bk. King Alexander 109 This warld he sall all conques and ourepas.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (lxi. 2) He overpassed ye distance that was betwixt him and it.
1797 R. Southey Triumph of Woman 288 And birds o'erpassing hear, and drop, and die.
1847 E. Brontë Wuthering Heights I. xiii. 313 Four miles distant lay my delightful home..and there might as well be the Atlantic to part us, instead of those four miles, I could not overpass them!
1891 R. Kipling Light that Failed ii. 20 The stream was falling and..the next few miles would be no light thing for the whale-boats to overpass.
1932 T. E. Lawrence tr. Homer Odyssey vii Their trust is in the swiftness of their ships..in which they overpass the deepest seas with the speed of wings or of a thought.
1992 W. T. Vollman Fathers & Crows in Chicago Tribune (Nexis) 26 July (Books section) 3 He was so high that the winter-stricken trees appeared to him like grey grassblades... He overpassed cornfields.
2. † b. intransitive. To pass over, pass across; to reach the other side. Sometimes in figurative context. Obsolete.In quot. a1425 in perfect tense formed with to be.
a. transitive. To pass across or beyond; to reach the other side of; to cross. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > cross or pass over
overstyeOE
overleapeOE
overfareOE
overgoc1225
passc1300
overpassa1382
to pass through ——a1382
overlendc1450
overmetec1480
overspana1522
cross1583
transpass1626
overwenda1649
overmarcha1805
peregrinate1835
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (transitive)] > across
overgoeOE
to come overeOE
to go over ——OE
overcome?c1225
passc1300
overpassa1382
cross1583
traject1624
cut1634
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Deut. xxvii. 4 Whenne þenne þou shalt ouerpasse [a1425 Corpus Oxf. ouerpas; L. transieritis] Iordan, arere þe stonys þat y to day comaunde to þe in þe mount of hebal.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 62 (MED) He schulde be sufficient to ouerepassen þe flood and take euerlastynge liif.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xvii. 32 In my god i sall ouerpasse the wall [L. transgrediar].
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 141 The Reyne..the ryuers and wateres makyth ouer-Passe har boundys.
a1530 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Royal) vii. 500 [That] off it [sc. bread] nevyr a crote Quhill I be wyrryd, owre-pas my throt.
1599 F. Thynne Animaduersions (1875) Ded. 2 He whiche hathe once ouer passed the frontiers of modestye.
1661 T. Ross tr. Silius Italicus Second Punick War iv. 107 The Carthaginians, likewise, in the Plain (The River over-pass'd) encamp'd remain.
1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar iii. ii. 37 I stood on a wide River's Bank, Which I must needs o'erpass.
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) viii. 302 The threshold now is overpass'd.
1846 R. C. Trench Notes Miracles xxiii. 335 It is not probable that our blessed Lord actually overpassed the limits of the Jewish land.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > motion in the air > move in the air [verb (intransitive)] > pass over or overhead
overpassa1425
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) 5343 Til, whanne the shadowe is overpast [Fr. passee].
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 61 (MED) The firste chapitil of þe secunde partye makeþ mencyoun of a brigge..by þe which brigge alle trewe cristen men mowen ouerepasse.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail l. 11 (MED) To A gret water he cam In hast..there fond he his felawes þat þere Abod and In non wise Mihten Over pase til he was Comen.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) x. 1 How say ȝe til my saule, ‘ouerpasse [L. transmigra] in til the hill as a sparow’.
c1550 Clariodus (1830) ii. 11 Or ȝe ower pas ȝe sall have mair adoe.
3. transitive. To pass by; to come up to or alongside of and go beyond; to overtake. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > pass by
overpassa1382
balk1481
forpass1590
overslip1600
outstrip1632
depass1886
pass1894
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) 2 Kings xviii. 23 Achymaas rennynge by þe weie of þe goode schorte weie ouer passede chusy.
c1450 (a1400) Orologium Sapientiæ in Anglia (1888) 10 365 (MED) [A] trauelynge man standynge in þe hauen byholdith bisily a schyppe þat swiftely seylith towarde ferre contreyes þat hee schulde go to, lest þat hit schulde ouer-passe hym.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 649/1 I overpasse, as a man dothe..a companye that he overtaketh.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Ljv Saylinge farre beyond this Region, and ouerpassinge manye countreyes..we came to another nacion.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis v, in tr. Virgil Wks. 353 Ascanius took th' Alarm,..And spurring on, his Equals soon o'repass'd.
1925 C. H. Brewitt-Taylor tr. San Kuo xxxix. 408 He..saw Cherêng Pru coming up. Fearing lest this other pursuer should overpass him..Gan Ning..shot at the fugitive.
1992 Re: Danger Grade Crossing in rec.railroad (Usenet newsgroup) 14 Apr. I remarked an overloaded car that overpassed me—it was almost dragging its bottom on the road.
4. transitive. To rise above or higher than; to extend or project over. Now esp. in relation to roads (cf. overpass n.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > make high(er) [verb (transitive)] > exceed in height
surmountc1374
overpassa1400
passc1400
overpeer1565
overcrop1567
overlook1567
overtop1578
top1582
superate1599
overtip?a1607
over-heighten?1611
out-topa1672
overtower1812
the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > project from (something) [verb (transitive)] > project beyond (something)
overpass1737
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > extend beyond
overreacha1400
surpass1601
outspan1856
overextend1937
overpass1938
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) 1838 Þe heȝest hille..Þe flood ouer passed [a1400 Vesp. ouer raght; a1400 Gött. ouer ras] seuen ellen & more.
a1450 Late Middle Eng. Treat. on Horses (1978) 121 (MED) Þou sixte þe flesche ouer-passe þe brynkes of þe skyn with-jnne þe wonde.
a1525 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I. 303 Quhill the watter our passit the hieast hillis in the erth.
1737 H. Bracken Farriery Improved xl. 550 When the upper overpass the under Teeth.
1864 J. Anster Faustus II i. 39 Threads flow hither, threads flow thither, And their course my fingers guide: None must overpass the circle.
1898 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. V. 980 It [sc. the cardiac apex] may overpass the vertical mid-thoracic line.
1938 Times 16 Aug. 15/4 The stream..swelled uproariously. It did not anywhere overpass its deeply engraved channel, but raced helter-skelter and bank high to the road and the beach.
1990 Commerc. Appeal (Memphis, Tennessee) (Nexis) 30 Dec. a1 Two [bridges] carry access ramps over I-240, while two others involve ramps overpassing other ramps.
II. Extended senses. (In intransitive use, frequently with perfect tense formed with to be.)† 7. † 9. intransitive. To be in excess, remain over. Obsolete. rare.
5. † c. intransitive. To take place, happen. Obsolete.
a. intransitive. Of time, an action, experience, etc.: to pass away, come to an end; to pass, pass by, elapse. Now somewhat archaic.The perfect tense is frequently formed with to be.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > be at an end [verb (intransitive)] > come to an end, terminate, or expire
to run outeOE
endOE
stintc1275
slakea1300
overpassc1350
determinec1374
overruna1393
dispend1393
failc1399
missa1400
to wear out, forth1412
stanchc1420
to come outa1450
terminea1450
expire?c1450
finish1490
conclude1593
upclose1603
terminate1608
to shut up1609
to wind off1650
stop1733
to fall in1771
close1821
to blaze out1884
outgive1893
to play out1964
c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) cxlviii. 6 (MED) He stablist hem wyþ-outen ende and in þe word of worldes, sett to mandementz [read comandementz], and it ne shal nouȝt ouerpassen.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1965) Psalms lvi. 2 In þe shadewe of þi wengis I shal hopen to þe tyme þat wickedenesse ouer passe.
c1390 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 133 And sum tyme plesaunse wol ouer-pas.
c1425 tr. J. Arderne Treat. Fistula (Sloane 6) (1910) 45 (MED) A long tyme ouerpassed.
a1450 (?1420) J. Lydgate Temple of Glas (Tanner) (1891) 392 (MED) Your wo..shal asswage, and ouerpassen sone.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clxxxi. f. cvv The Monkes..layde it in the Churche of seynt Anyan, Tyll the persecucion were ouerpassed.
?1521 A. Barclay Bk. Codrus & Mynalcas sig. D No day ouerpasseth, exempt of busynesse.
a1593 C. Marlowe Massacre at Paris (c1600) sig. C3v Come my Lords now that this storme is ouerpast.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 54 Afterwards, the furie of the people ouerpassed.
1679 M. Waite Warning to all Friends 10 Enter into the hole of the Rock, where safety is to be found, till the indignation be over past.
1794 T. Dwight Greenfield Hill v. 118 Wintry time is overpass'd.
1824 J. Hogg Private Mem. Justified Sinner 28 During all the dreadful times that had overpast..he had still leaned to the side of the kingly prerogative.
1874 H. R. Reynolds John the Baptist ii. 91 The strange eclipse of His beams is overpassed.
1929 S. Leslie Anglo-Catholic x. 135 The Celebrant..hid the Host at an altar of repose until the storms were overpast.
1987 N. Tranter Flowers of Chivalry (BNC) 156 The agreed time of respite now being overpast, King Edward demanded immediate surrender.
b. transitive. To pass through, get to the end of (a period of time, an action, experience, etc.), esp. successfully or safely; to endure, survive; to outlive. Also: to pass or spend (time). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)]
overdoOE
adreeOE
wreaka1300
to draw forthc1300
dispend1340
pass1340
drivea1375
wastec1381
occupyc1384
overpassa1387
to pass over ——a1393
usec1400
spend1423
contrive?a1475
overdrive1487
consumea1500
to pass forth1509
to drive off1517
lead1523
to ride out1529
to wear out, forth1530
to pass away?1550
to put offc1550
shiftc1562
to tire out1563
wear1567
to drive out1570
entertainc1570
expire1589
tire1589
outwear1590
to see out1590
outrun1592
outgo1595
overshoot1597
to pass out1603
fleeta1616
elapse1654
term1654
trickle1657
to put over1679
absorb1686
spin1696
exercise1711
kill1728
to get through ——1748
to get over ——1751
tickc1870
fill1875
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > restoration of a person > recovery from misfortune, error, etc. > [verb (transitive)]
overcomea1225
recoverc1330
overputa1382
overpassa1387
passa1500
digest1577
to put over1593
outwear1598
overseta1600
to make a saving game of it1600
repassa1631
to get over ——1662
overgeta1729
overcast1788
overa1800
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 207 (MED) Wilfridus..overpasseþ Beda his tyme [L. transcendit tempora Bedæ].
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. 517 (MED) Fro this peril natheles With his wisdom king Uluxes Ascapeth and it overpasseth.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 24280 Þis ilk pine es for me dight..Ouer-pas it sal i son.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 225 Al þis he suffride and ouerpasside as a verry knyȝt and ȝoure capiteyn þat putt hymsilf so to bateyle for to fiȝte in þe feeld.
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. (1821) II. 13 To ouirpas our dayis in miserabill sleuth.
?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 23 Halfe of the yeare & more was ouerpassed..in loytering & vaine pastimes.
a1600 J. Stewart Poems (1913) 125 Thy Prudent spreit Prepair Till ouerpass thy pains in patiens.
1645 Marquis of Worcester in H. Dircks Life (1865) viii. 125 Having overpassed many rubs and difficulties.
a1834 S. T. Coleridge Lit. Remains (1838) III. 101 Having now overpassed six-sevenths of the ordinary period allotted to human life.
1876 T. Hardy Hand of Ethelberta I. xxv. 262 It became imperative to consider how best to overpass a more general catastrophe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)]
becomec888
i-tidec888
falleOE
ywortheOE
i-limp975
belimpOE
i-timeOE
worthOE
tidea1131
goa1200
arearc1275
syec1275
betide1297
fere1297
risea1350
to come aboutc1350
overcomea1382
passa1393
comea1400
to come in (also to, on, etc.) placea1400
eschew?a1400
chevec1400
shapec1400
hold1462
to come (also go) to pass1481
proceed?1518
occura1522
bechance1527
overpass1530
sorta1535
succeed1537
adventurec1540
to fall toc1540
success1545
to fall forth1569
fadge1573
beword?1577
to fall in1578
happen1580
event1590
arrive1600
offer1601
grow1614
fudge1615
incur1626
evene1654
obvene1654
to take place1770
transpire1775
to go on1873
to show up1879
materialize1885
break1914
cook1932
to go down1946
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 382 The partyculer actes & cyrcumstances whiche overpassed in the meane whyle.
1674 S. Speed Legend of Duke Humphrey in Fragmenta Carceris sig. G4v What did more over-pass, I don't well know, For I got loose.
d. transitive. To pass through in one's mind, consider. Now rare (poetic in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > idea, notion, or concept > come to mind, occur [verb (intransitive)]
comeeOE
runOE
to come to mindOE
occur?a1500
to move to mind?a1525
to come, fall under, lie in one's cap1546
to take (a person) in the head1565
present1585
overpass1591
to come in upon a person1638
suggest1752
to come up1889
1591 R. Bruce Serm. Edinb. (Isa. xxxviii. 15) sig. N3v I shall from henceforth all the rest of my zeires [= years], walk overpassing the bitternes of my soule.
a1618 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Diuine Weekes & Wks. (1621) i. iv. 82 I'l over-pass how Sea doth Eb and Flowe.
1658 J. Webb tr. G. de Costes de La Calprenède Hymen's Præludia: 8th Pt. viii. i. 10 The faire Princesse sensible at this remembrance could not overpasse it in her spirit without sighs and sobbs.
1902 J. Payne Poet. Wks. I. 209 I overpass in thought The time when I awhile resigned Myself to love.
6. † a. intransitive. To pass or remain unnoticed, to be let alone or ignored. Chiefly in to let (something) overpass: to let it pass, take no notice of it. Obsolete.† c. transitive. Of a thing: to pass by, leave unaffected. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > allow to pass unnoticed
to look through ——OE
to let (something) overpassa1375
overpassa1382
unseea1395
forgoa1400
balkc1440
dissimulea1450
pass?c1475
dissemblea1500
dissimulatea1533
to wink at1535
nod1607
connive1641
beholdc1650
to wink against1653
to shut one's eyes to (also against, on)a1711
blink1742
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 4113 I leued hire þan lelly & lett it ouer-pase.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. 6 (MED) I mot lete it overpasse And treten upon othre thinges.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 1084 Lat thys langage overpasse, and all shall be wellcom that God sendith.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. lxxxv. [lxxxi.] 254 Thynke you yt ye frensshe kynge wyl suffre yt matter thus to ouerpas?
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 5084 Laghe at it lightly and let it ouer pas.
c1580 Merry Ieste sig. Diij O good wife cease and let this ouerpasse.
a1589 J. Maxwall in Paisley Mag. (1828) 1 383 He..Syne rysis wp and lattis his grace ower pas.
b. transitive. To pass over, leave unnoticed or unmentioned, ignore; to omit; to overlook. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > allow to pass unnoticed
to look through ——OE
to let (something) overpassa1375
overpassa1382
unseea1395
forgoa1400
balkc1440
dissimulea1450
pass?c1475
dissemblea1500
dissimulatea1533
to wink at1535
nod1607
connive1641
beholdc1650
to wink against1653
to shut one's eyes to (also against, on)a1711
blink1742
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > omit, pass over
forgetc950
overhipc1300
overgoa1382
overpassa1382
passa1382
to step over ——1387
to pass overc1390
overslipa1400
overskipc1400
overslide1488
overstartc1500
neglect1511
skip1531
to pass by1560
intermit1570
leap1600
overjump1604
jump1749
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being exclusive > exclude [verb (transitive)] > omit or leave out
letc900
overleapOE
forletc1200
beleavec1275
overpassa1382
to cut outc1400
overskipc1400
omisec1425
omit1439
to leave outc1450
obmise1490
neglect1511
skip1531
obmit?1541
enterlesse1548
intermit1570
prevade1641
waive1651
suppress1826
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xviii. 3 Lord, ȝif I haue founden grace in þin eyȝen, ne ouerpass þou not þy seruaunt.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 297 Þei goon booldly to masse..not for to consecrate but for to seye masse for to ouerpasse at consecracioun þe wordis of consecracioun.
c1450 (a1400) Orologium Sapientiæ in Anglia (1888) 10 376 (MED) Þe whiche alle now ouere-passynge, take þis onely in sikernesse.
c1475 in F. J. Furnivall Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 138 (MED) The townes names I ouyr pas, For and I schulde telle alle in fere, Hyt were a long tale for to here.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. lxxviii. f. xxxi But for the names..be derke to Englysshe vnderstandynge, therfore I ouerpasse theym, and folowe the Storye.
1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus 284 Manye other thinges which for brevities sake I overpas.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 627 The bloud-stone Hæmatites..a stone that I must not ouerpasse in silence.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 38 All the Beauties of the East He slightly view'd, and slightly over-pass'd . View more context for this quotation
1675 in W. K. Tweedie Sel. Biogr. (1847) II. 90 I overpass common mercies, and mention one that was very remarkable.
a1729 E. Taylor Metrical Hist. Christianity (1962) 324 And others more the which we overpass.
1779 S. Johnson Dryden in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets III. 68 The reason which he gives for printing what was never acted, cannot be overpassed.
1831 W. Hamilton in Edinb. Rev. Mar. 208 Some lesser errors..we overpass.
1872 G. M. Hopkins Further Lett. (1956) 118 I cannot tell how I have overpassed your birthday and only been recalled to it now too late by seeing the date March 3 on a letter.
2001 MSNBC (Nexis) 24 May I love this city. It's the first city, the first capital, and I always think that Philadelphia gets overpassed.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > escape the attention of
overpass1535
overslip1574
overscape1581
fly?1611
slip1653
to get away1811
miss1880
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. xiv. 14 Let not ye porcion of ye good daie ouerpas the.
a. transitive. To overcome, get the better of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)]
overcomeeOE
forecomec1000
overwieldlOE
masterc1225
overmaistrie1340
overmatcha1375
overpassa1382
surmount1390
to have the fairer (of)c1400
maistriec1400
overmasterc1425
winc1440
overc1485
bestride1526
rixlec1540
overreach1555
control1567
overmate1567
govern1593
to give (a person) the lurch1598
get1600
to gain cope of1614
top1633
to fetch overa1640
down1641
to have the whip hand (of)1680
carberry1692
to cut down1713
to be more than a match for1762
outflank1773
outmaster1799
outgeneral1831
weather1834
best1839
fore-reach1845
to beat a person at his (also her, etc.) own game1849
scoop1850
euchrec1866
bemaster1871
negotiate1888
to do down1900
to get (someone) wetc1926
lick1946
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1965) Judith Prol. 17 Þe vnouerpassable she ouerpassede [L. superaret].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) 8987 (MED) Ouer passed him haþ þat caitif kynde.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 146 (MED) Þoru her prudence sche ouerpasseþ þe grynnes of feendis and of oþire creaturis.
?a1475 (a1396) W. Hilton Scale of Perfection (Harl. 6579) i. ix. f. 6 (MED) Whether we ouerpasse oure bodili wittes to God in contemplacion, ore we ere more sobre to ȝiow bi bodili felynge, þe charite of Crist stereþ ous.
b. transitive. Of a sensation, emotion, etc.: to come over, affect; to overspread. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (transitive)] > suddenly or violently
overgoOE
ofseche?c1225
catcha1275
henta1375
to come upon ——a1382
seizec1381
takea1382
to catch to ——c1400
overpass?a1513
re-encounter1523
to come over ——1726
to come on ——1850
the world > space > extension in space > spreading or diffusion > [verb (transitive)] > specific something immaterial
sowc888
forspreada1300
breathea1425
diffusea1425
transfusec1425
sparkle?1533
seminate1535
enlarge1553
propagate1554
disperse1576
proseminate1619
disseminate1643
infusea1672
overpass1679
to set abroad1688
vulgate1851
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 125 Sic deidlie dwawmes..Ane hundrithe tymes hes my hairt ouirpast.
c1550 Clariodus (1830) iv. 1388 Quhan that ane stound or twa had him owerpast.
1679 J. King Last Speech in G. Hickes Spirit of Popery (1680) 47/1 The horrid Prophanity that has overpassed the whole Land.
8. † c. intransitive. To behave immoderately or intemperately, to go to excess. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To extend or lie beyond the limit, range, or scope of; to exceed in quantity, value, excellence, etc.; to transcend, surpass.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (transitive)]
overstyeOE
overshinec1175
overgoc1225
passc1225
surmountc1369
forpassc1374
overmatcha1375
overpassa1382
to pass overa1393
overcomec1400
outpass?a1425
exceedc1425
precedec1425
superexcelc1429
transcendc1430
precel?a1439
outcut1447
overgrowc1475
to come over ——a1479
excel1493
overleapa1500
vanquish1533
outweigh1534
prevent1540
better1548
preferc1550
outgo1553
surpassa1555
exsuperate1559
cote1566
overtop1567
outrun1575
outstrip1579
outsail1580
overruna1586
pre-excel1587
outbid1589
outbrave1589
out-cote1589
top1590
outmatch1593
outvie1594
superate1595
surbravec1600
oversile1608
over-height1611
overstride1614
outdoa1616
outlustrea1616
outpeera1616
outstrikea1616
outrival1622
antecede1624
out-top1624
antecell1625
out-pitch1627
over-merit1629
outblazea1634
surmatch1636
overdoa1640
overact1643
outact1644
worst1646
overspana1657
outsoar1674
outdazzle1691
to cut down1713
ding1724
to cut out1738
cap1821
by-pass1848
overtower1850
pretergress1851
outray1876
outreach1879
cut1884
outperform1937
outrate1955
one-up1963
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) 2 Par. ix. 6 Þou hast ouer passed þe loos in þi vertues.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. 4483 (MED) He..alle mennes wit In thilke time hath overpassed.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 12707 Sent Ion, þe wangelist..All þe appostells he ouer-past.
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. v. pr. vi. 116 The science of hym that overpasseth alle temporel moevement.
c1440 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1895) I. 319 (MED) This mane..ouer-passed many oþer with his gud dedis.
a1500 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 380 And thy mercy, lorde ouerpasseth alle thyng that thow madest.
1568 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS f. 64 b He westis his substance Sa lerge that it ourpassis his rentall.
1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo 111 A Factor is bound to answere the losse which happeneth by ouerpassing or exceeding his Commission.
1799 W. Godwin St. Leon IV. i. 13 Why had I not the courage never to overpass the limit at which I was now arrived..wherever I afterwards wandered on..the globe?
a1800 W. Cowper Iliad of Homer in Wks. (1835–7) XI. vi. 166 Nor lives he who can overpass the date By heaven assign'd him.
1835 I. Taylor Spiritual Despotism iii. 103 A generous enthusiasm..will probably overpass the necessities of the occasion.
1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xxiii. 288 We sallied out through a solitude so wholly vacant and complete that it quite overpassed the required conditions.
1941 W. J. Cash Mind of South ii. i. 133 Taboos which overpass what is possible to human nature in a given milieu are always the death of true restraint.
1994 L. Gordon Charlotte Brontë (1995) viii. 258 New exemplars who are not saints, who struggle and fail, yet demonstrate a capacity to overpass old limits.
b. transitive. To go beyond the limits or restrictions of, to transgress. Now chiefly archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (transitive)] > go beyond (bounds)
transcenda1340
exceedc1374
overwenda1375
overpassa1382
passc1390
to pass beyond ——1429
outreacha1568
overlash1581
pretergress1583
outrun1589
overslipa1592
surpass1592
to step over ——1599
outstep?1611
outstrip1612
overrun1612
outpass1635
pose1636
over-burst1856
overact1858
overstride1925
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Num. xxiv. 13 Y may not ouerpasse þe word of þe lord my god.
c1400 J. Gower Eng. Wks. (1901) II. 484 (MED) The werre makth the grete Citee lasse, And doth the lawe his reules overpasse.
c1450 Speculum Christiani (Harl. 6580) (1933) 128 (MED) To be proude aȝeyn god es to ouer-passe hys biddynge.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 131 (MED) That is ayeyne the vertu of larges, And his rule ouer-Passyth.
1597 T. Beard Theatre Gods Iudgements ii. xlvi. 458 This neither ought nor can be done..without ouerpassing the bounds of his limited power.
c1600 W. Fowler tr. N. Machiavelli Prince in Wks. (1936) II. 72 The natiue and borne lord is sufficientlye..able to vphold his estate while he ouerpassis not the lawes and ordinances of his predicessars.
1788 A. Hamilton Federalist Papers xxxiii. 203 If the federal government should overpass the just bounds of its authority, and make a tyrannical use of its powers.
1867 E. H. Plumptre tr. Sophocles Antigone in tr. Sophocles Trag. (ed. 2) 145 Nor did I deem thy edicts strong enough, That thou, a mortal man, should'st over-pass The unwritten laws of God.
1885 Dict. National Biogr. VII. 348/2 In some of these sayings..he overpassed the bounds of good taste.
1905 Daily Chron. 24 Oct. 1 The Russian and Austrian agents in Uskub overpass their duties.
a1973 J. R. R. Tolkien Silmarillion (1977) 262 But the design of Manwë was that the Númenóreans should not..desire to overpass the limits set to their bliss.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (intransitive)] > go beyond bounds
overflowOE
overpassa1500
overreacha1568
to leap bounds1597
overruna1600
deborda1653
excur1656
slop1859
to hit the high spots1891
a1500 (?a1425) tr. Secreta Secret. (Lamb.) 67 (MED) Who so ouerpassys yn ful or voyd, yn slepynge or wakynge..he mowe noght eschewe maladyes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > be excessive [verb (intransitive)] > be in excess
overpass1530
surmounta1533
advance1557
surfeit1558
redound1616
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 649/1 I overpasse, I remayne besydes the juste nombre and quantyte..je surabonde. This somme is nat just yet for this overpasseth.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [adjective] > come or brought to an end
past1340
consummatea1500
determined1581
finished1582
overpassed1582
overspent1597
ended1598
spent1609
expired1631
terminate1639
winded1642
petered-out1971
1582 T. Watson Ἑκατομπαθία: Passionate Cent. Loue xcviii. Argt. The present title of his ouerpassed Loue.
1798 J. Baillie Fugitive Verses (1840) 59 Ye then renew each sound and form, Like after echoing of the overpassed storm.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1929
v.c1325