Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Overrun
Oˊver-run′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp.
Overran
; p. p.
Overrun
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Overrunning
. ] 1.
To run over; to grow or spread over in excess; to invade and occupy; to take possession of;
as, the vine
overran
its trellis; the farm is overrun
with witch grass.Those barbarous nations that
overran
the world. Spenser.
2.
To exceed in distance or speed of running; to go beyond or pass in running.
Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and
overran
Cushi. 2 Sam. xviii. 23.
3.
To go beyond; to extend in part beyond;
as, one line
. overruns
another in length☞ In machinery, a sliding piece is said to overrun its bearing when its forward end goes beyond it.
4.
To abuse or oppress, as if by treading upon.
None of them the feeble
overran
. Spenser.
5.
(Print.)
(a)
To carry over, or back, as type, from one line or page into the next after, or next before.
(b)
To extend the contents of (a line, column, or page) into the next line, column, or page.
Oˊver-run′
,Verb.
I.
1.
To run, pass, spread, or flow over or by something; to be beyond, or in excess.
Despised and trodden down of all that
overran
. Spenser.
2.
(Print.)
To extend beyond its due or desired length;
as, a line, or advertisement,
. overruns
Webster 1828 Edition
Overrun
OVERRUN'
,Verb.
T.
1.
To run or spread over; to grow over; to cover all over. The sluggard's farm is overrun with weeds. Some plants unchecked will soon overrun a field. The Canada thistle is overrunning the northern parts of New England, as it has overrun Normandy.2.
To march or rove over; to harass by hostile incursions; to ravage. The south of Europe was formerly overrun by the Goths, Vandals and other barbarians.3.
To outrun; to run faster than another and leave him behind.Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
2Sam. 18.
4.
To overspread with numbers. Were it not for the ibis, it has been supposed Egypt would be overrun with crocodiles.5.
To injure by treading down.6.
Among printers, to change the disposition of types and carry those of one line into another, either in correction, or in the contraction or extension of columns.OVERRUN'
,Verb.
I.