overstep

English

/ˌəʊvəˈstɛp/, /ˌoʊvɚˈstɛp/

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To go too far beyond (a limit); especially, to cross boundaries or exceed norms or conventions.
  • To take a step in which the foot touches ground too far forward.
  • To move with a gait such that the hind foot touches the ground forward of the point where the front foot touches the ground. *

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English *oversteppen inherited from Old English ofersteppan inherited from Proto-Germanic *uberstapjaną (step over, overstep) prefix from English step (footrest on a bicycle).

Origin

English

step

Gloss

footrest on a bicycle

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms