overspread

From Middle English overspreden, from Old English ofersprǣdan, corresponding to over- +‎ spread. Cognate with Dutch overspreiden (“to overspread”), German überspreiten (“to overspread”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əʊvəˈspɹɛd/

overspread (third-person singular simple present overspreads, present participle overspreading, simple past and past participle overspread)

1. (transitive) To spread over or across (something); cover over; be scattered over; permeate, overrun.
   • Drayton

     those nations of the North which overspread the world

   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

     Lady Bellaston fixed her eyes on Sophia whilst she spoke these words. To which that poor young lady, having her face overspread with blushes and confusion, answered, in a stammering voice […]

   • 1913, DH Lawrence, Sons and Lovers, Penguin 2006, p. 289:

     Deliberately, and with a peculiar quivering smile, that seemed to overspread her whole body, she put her mouth on his.

2. (intransitive) To be spread or scattered about.