overlip

English

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle English overlippe, equivalent to over- +‎ lip.

Noun

overlip (plural overlips)

1. (now uncommon) The upper lip.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Chaucer to this entry?)

   • 2010, John Banville, The Infinities →ISBN:

     They seem to her still so young, hardly more than children, really, even Adam—especially Adam—with that babyishly fat overlip that trembles so when he is excited or upset.

   • 2014, Samuel R. Delany, Tales of Nevèrÿon →ISBN:

     His eyes were closed, his mouth opened. His breathing, irregular for three, then four, then five breaths, returned to its normal, soundless rhythm. Stubbled overlip and wet underlip moved about some final, silent word: […]

2. (rare, chiefly of a dog) An upper lip that extends too far out and down. (Compare overbite.)

Coordinate terms

• underlip

References

• “overlip”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• Encyclopedia of K9 Terminology (2013, →ISBN: An overlip occurs when the upper lip extends over and obscures the chin.