▪ I. † ˈoverer, a. and n.1 Obs.
[Comparative of over a.: cf. OHG. oberôro, MHG. oberer, and Eng. innerer.]
A. adj. Upper; higher in position.
| 1388 Wyclif Job xxxviii. 30 The ouer [v.r. ouerer] part of occian. c 1430 Art Nombryng (E.E.T.S.) 12 That the last of the lower nombre may not be with-draw of the last of the ouerer nombre for it is lasse than the lower. |
B. n. (the adj. used elliptically).
1. The upper part or region.
| a 1340 Hampole Psalter Prol. 3 An instrument..of ten cordis, and gifes þe soun fra þe ouerer, thurgh touchynge of hend. Ibid. ciii. 3 Þou þat hilis wiþ watirs þe ouerer of it [L. superiora eius]. Ibid. 14 Wetand hilles of his ouyrere [L. de superioribus suis]. |
2. The upper of two things.
| c 1430 Art Nombryng (E.E.T.S.) 10 In the place of the ouerer sette a-side, write a digit that is a part of the componede. Ibid. 16 Suche a digit founde and withdraw fro his ouerer. |
3. A person higher in station, a superior.
| c 1449 Pecock Repr. Prol. 1 Correccioun..longith oonli to the ouerer anentis his netherer, and not to the netherer anentis his ouerer. Ibid. 299 Forwhi in two maners ouerers mowen holde and vse her ouerte vpon her vndirlingis. |
▪ II. overer, n.2 local.
(ˈəʊvərə(r))
[f. over adv. + -er.]
See quot.
| 1892 E. B. James Lett. I. of Wight (1896) II. 347 The local and familiar word ‘overers’, by which the people of the Isle of Wight designate such of the inhabitants as are not born natives. 1892 Edin. Rev. July 237 The list of ‘overers’ whose connection with it has enriched its fame, is longer and more brilliant. |