overreach

English

/ˌəʊvəˈɹiːt͡ʃ/, /ˌoʊvə(ɹ)ˈɹit͡ʃ/, /ˈəʊvə(ˌ)ɹiːt͡ʃ/, /ˈoʊvə(ɹ)ˌɹit͡ʃ/

verb
Definitions
  • (ambitransitive) To reach above or beyond, especially to an excessive degree.
  • (ambitransitive) To do something beyond an appropriate limit, or beyond one's ability.
  • (ambitransitive) Of a horse: to strike the heel of a forefoot with the toe of a hindfoot.
  • (ambitransitive) To deceive, to swindle.
  • (intransitive) To sail on one tack farther than is necessary.
  • (transitive) To get the better of, especially by artifice or cunning; to outwit.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English overrechen (obtain wrongfully, overtake, encroach, rise above, extend beyond over, catch, reach, take up to revise it) pre from English reach root from Proto-Indo-European *reyǵ- (bind, reach, stretch tight).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*reyǵ-

Gloss

bind, reach, stretch tight

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms