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Webster 1913 Edition


Overpower

Oˊver-pow′er

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Overpowered
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Overpowering
.]
To excel or exceed in power; to cause to yield by superior power; to vanquish; to subdue;
as, the light
overpowers
the eyes
.
“And overpower’d that gallant few.”
Wordsworth.
Syn. – To overbear; overcome; vanquish; defeat; crush; overwhelm; overthrow; rout; conquer; subdue.

O′ver-powˊer

,
Noun.
A dominating power.
Bacon.

Webster 1828 Edition


Overpower

OVERPOW'ER

, v.t.
1.
To affect with a power or force that cannot be borne; as, the light overpowers the eyes.
2.
To vanquish by force; to subdue; to reduce to silence in action or submission; to defeat.

Definition 2024


overpower

overpower

English

Verb

overpower (third-person singular simple present overpowers, present participle overpowering, simple past and past participle overpowered)

  1. (transitive) To subdue someone by superior force.
    We overpowered the opposing army within a couple of hours.
  2. (transitive) To excel or exceed in power; to cause to yield; to subdue.
    Bright light overpowers the eyes.
  3. (transitive) To render imperceptible by means of greater strength, intensity etc.
    The dish was OK, but the garlic slightly overpowered the herbs.
    • 2011 December 15, Felicity Cloake, “How to cook the perfect nut roast”, in Guardian:
      Breadcrumbs seem to be the most popular choice, but Rose Elliot's recipe, in Vegetarian Christmas (as recommended by one of the three nice people who did tweet back, India Knight), doesn't quite convince as the centrepiece of the festive feast. It consists of two layers of ground cashew nuts, mixed with breadcrumbs, onions, nutmeg and vegetable stock, and separated by a vibrant green herb stuffing, the main ingredient of which is also bread. Although surprisingly moist, thanks to the stock (indeed, the contrast between the crisp exterior and the squidgy middle is horribly moreish), the combination of parsley, garlic and breadcrumbs reminds me of a very fancy loaf of garlic bread – and all but overpowers the sweet flavour of the cashews.

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