Overwhelming

Overwhelming
Overwhelm O`ver*whelm", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Overwhelmed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Overwhelming}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To cover over completely, as by a great wave; to overflow and bury beneath; to ingulf; hence, figuratively, to immerse and bear down; to overpower; to crush; to bury; to oppress, etc., overpoweringly. [1913 Webster]

The sea overwhelmed their enemies. --Ps. lxxviii. 53. [1913 Webster]

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. --Ps. lv. 5. [1913 Webster]

Foul deeds will rise, Though all the earth o'erwhelm them. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Gaza yet stands; but all her sons are fallen, All in a moment overwhelmed and fallen. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. To project or impend over threateningly. [1913 Webster]

His louering brows o'erwhelming his fair sight. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. To cause to surround, to cover. --Papin. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Overwhelming — O ver*whelm ing, a. Overpowering; irresistible. {O ver*whelm ing*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • overwhelming — index compelling, formidable, indomitable, ineffable, invincible, irresistible, lurid, moving (evoking emotion) …   Law dictionary

  • overwhelming — [adj] overpowering amazing, astounding, breathtaking, crushing, devastating, exciting, eye opening, mind boggling, overcoming, paralyzing, shattering, staggering, stunning, vast; concept 42 …   New thesaurus

  • overwhelming */ — UK [ˌəʊvə(r)ˈwelmɪŋ] / US [ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ] / US [ˌoʊvərˈhwelmɪŋ] adjective 1) much larger, stronger, more important etc than anything else in a situation overwhelming majority: An overwhelming majority voted against his proposal. overwhelming odds …   English dictionary

  • overwhelming — o|ver|whelm|ing [ˌəuvəˈwelmıŋ US ˌouvər ] adj 1.) having such a great effect on you that you feel confused and do not know how to react ▪ an overwhelming sense of guilt ▪ She felt an overwhelming desire to hit him. ▪ She found the city quite… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • overwhelming — o|ver|whelm|ing [ ,ouvər welmıŋ, ,ouvər hwelmıŋ ] adjective * 1. ) much larger, stronger, more important, etc. than anything else in a situation: overwhelming majority: An overwhelming majority voted against his proposal. overwhelming odds: The… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • overwhelming — [[t]o͟ʊvə(r)(h)we̱lmɪŋ[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) ADJ GRADED If something is overwhelming, it affects you very strongly, and you do not know how to deal with it. The task won t feel so overwhelming if you break it down into small, easy to accomplish steps...… …   English dictionary

  • overwhelming*/ — [ˌəʊvəˈwelmɪŋ] adj 1) making you feel a very strong emotion that you cannot control I had the overwhelming desire to get up and leave.[/ex] 2) much larger or more important than anything else in a situation An overwhelming majority voted against… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • overwhelming — adj. VERBS ▪ be, seem ▪ become ADVERB ▪ completely, quite ▪ almost …   Collocations dictionary

  • overwhelming — adjective 1 having such a great effect on you that you feel confused and do not know how to react: The sheer size of the place will seem overwhelming and confusing at first. | overwhelming generosity 2 overwhelming numbers/majority/odds etc very… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • overwhelming — adjective Date: 1702 tending or serving to overwhelm < overwhelming force >; also extreme, great < overwhelming indifference > < an overwhelming majority > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”