overlead

overlead

English

Etymology

From Middle English overleden, from Old English oferlǣdan (“to oppress, translate”), equivalent to over- +‎ lead.

Verb

overlead (third-person singular simple present overleads, present participle overleading, simple past and past participle overled)

1. (transitive) To dominate; domineer over; oppress.
   • 1891, Sir Thomas Malory, Sir Edward Strachey, William Caxton, Le morte D'arthur:

     I believe it well, false recreant knight, said Sir Gawaine, for thou hast many long days overled me, and us all, and destroyed many of our good knights.

2. (transitive) To affront; treat with indignity.
3. (transitive) To lead excessively or too much.
   • 1981, Evandro Agazzi, Modern logic:

     If you overlead this question with too binding absoluteness requirements I am afraid that a satisfactory and not dogmatic answer will be rather difficult to find.

Anagrams

• overdeal, overlade