overflowen

Middle English

Etymology

From Old English oferflōwan; equivalent to over- +‎ flowen.

Alternative forms

• ouerfluen, overflowe, overe flowen, over-flowyn

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔːvərˈflɔu̯ən/, /ɔvərˈflɔu̯ən/

Verb

overflowen

1. To overflow; to cause flooding or immerse in water.
2. (rare) To flow in profuse or excessive quantities.
3. (rare) To exist in profuse or great quantities.

Usage notes

The simple past of this verb is usually weak, but the past participle shows a tendency to be strong (compare flowen, which is usually weak throughout)

Conjugation

Conjugation of overflowen (strong class 7/weak)

infinitive	(to) overflowen
indicative	present	past
1st person singular	overflowe	overflowed, overflew
2nd person singular	overflowest	overflowed, overflew, *overflowedest
3rd person singular	overfloweþ, overfloweth	overflowed, overflew
plural	overflowen	overfloweden, *overflewen
subjunctive	present	past
singular	overflowe	*overflowede, *overflewe
plural	overflowen	overfloweden, *overflewen
imperative	present
singular	overflowe
plural	overfloweþ, overfloweth
participle	present	past
	overflowende, overflowinge	overflowen, overflowed

Descendants

• English: overflow

References

• “overflouen (v.)”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-11-12.