overcome
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Middle English overcomen, from Old English ofercuman (“to overcome, subdue, compel, conquer, obtain, attain, reach, overtake”), corresponding to over- + come. Cognate with Dutch overkomen (“to overcome”), German überkommen (“to overcome”), Danish overkomme (“to overcome”), Swedish överkomma (“to overcome”).
Pronunciation [edit]
Verb [edit]
overcome (third-person singular simple present overcomes, present participle overcoming, simple past overcame, past participle overcome)
- (transitive) To surmount (a physical or abstract obstacle); to prevail over, to get the better of.
- 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet Chapter 4
- By and by fumes of brandy began to fill the air, and climb to where I lay, overcoming the mouldy smell of decayed wood and the dampness of the green walls.
- 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet Chapter 4
- (transitive, obsolete) To win (a battle).
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book IV:
- thenne he sente for the quene and sone she was come, and she maade grete Joye of the overcomynge of that bataille.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book IV:
- (intransitive) To win or prevail in some sort of battle, contest, etc.
- We shall overcome.
- (transitive, usually in passive) To overwhelm with emotion.
- I was overcome with anger.
Translations [edit]
surmount, get the better of
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References [edit]
- overcome in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- overcome in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
