overdo

English

Etymology

From Middle English overdon, from Old English oferdōn, equivalent to over- + do

Pronunciation

Verb

overdo (third-person singular simple present overdoes, present participle overdoing, simple past overdid, past participle overdone)

  1. To do too much; to exceed what is proper or true in doing; to exaggerate; to carry too far.
    • Shakespeare
      Anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing.
  2. To overtask or overtax; to fatigue; to exhaust.
    to overdo one's strength
  3. To surpass; to excel.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Tennyson to this entry?)
  4. To cook for too long.
    to overdo the meat

Translations

References

  • overdo in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
  • overdo in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Anagrams

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