overˈstretch, v.
[over- 27, 10; in sense 2 = MHG. überstrecken.]
1. trans. To stretch too much, or beyond the proper length, amount, or degree. lit. and fig.
overstreit in quot. 1330 appears to be for overstreiht (= overstretched); but may possibly be = overstrait.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13270 How þeir hap was ner ouer-streit, And how Vtred was þer socour. 1388 Wyclif 2 Cor. x. 14 For we ouerstretchen [superextendimus] not forth vs, as not stretchinge to ȝou. 1552 Act 5 & 6 Edw. VI, c. 6 §1 Clothiers..practise Falshood..by over⁓stretching them upon the Tenter. 1590 Marlowe Edw. II, ii. ii. 158 The murmuring Commons, overstretched, break. 1735 Bracken in Burdon Pocket Farrier 26 note, The Muscles of the Shoulder being overstretched or relaxed. 1868 Milman St. Paul's 269 This supremacy, however it may have been overstretched by Elizabeth herself. |
2. a. To stretch (something) over or across. b. To stretch or extend across (something).
| 1423 Jas. I. Kingis Q. clxiv, And on the quhele was lytill void space, Wele nere oure-straught fro lawe vnto hye. 1883 Century Mag. XXVI. 821 That line of arches which over⁓stretches London. |
So ˈoverstretch n.; ˈoverˈstretched (-ˈstrɛtʃt) ppl. a.; ˈoverˈstretching vbl. n.
| 1631 Sanderson Serm. (1681) II. 9 The preeminence of a good name thus far just, beware ye make not unjust by over-stretching. 1676 Wiseman Chirurg. Treat. i. xxi. 111 The Tumour was..gangrened by reason of the overstretching of the Skin. 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) II. 101 The already over-stretched thread of his age and infirmities. 1769 De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit. I. 257 The prodigious Compass of this great Arch..appears like an Over-stretch, or an Extreme. 1806 H. K. White Let. to Maddock 17 Feb., A very slight over-stretch of the mind in the daytime. 1861 W. S. Perry Hist. Ch. Eng. I. xiv. 519 One of the suicidal counsels of an overstretched and impossible conformity. 1964 Listener 3 Sept. 335/2 Her overstretch was made fatal by this by-passing strategy. 1974 Daily Tel. 7 Feb. 2/6 Reasons for this are said to be the considerable ‘overstretch’ in the Navy's resources caused by shortage of ships and manpower. |