overrule, v.
(əʊvəˈruːl)
[over- 2.]
† 1. trans. To rule over, have authority over. Obs.
| 1581 Marbeck Bk. of Notes 839 It is so necessary a thing, that one onely man, ouer rule the whole Church. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) Matt. xx. 25 You know that the princes of the Gentiles ouerrule them. 1640 Bp. Hall Episc. ii. xvii. 180 Those Presbyters must have an head, that head is to over⁓rule the body. |
2. To govern, control, or modify the rule of (a person, a law, etc.) by superior power or authority.
| 1576 Gascoigne Steele Gl. (Arb.) 57 Realmes and townes..Where mighty power, doth ouer rule the right. 1596 in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 229 To overrule them in their prices, so as the same be not sold at any dearer rates. 1606 L. Bryskett Civ. Life 85 Yet did he not onely not seeke to ouer-rule the law, but became a law to himselfe. 1702 Eng. Theophrast. 194 There is a secret order and concatenation of things directed and overruled by Providence. 1860 Hook Lives Abps. I. ii. 43 Shaping all things to his own wise ends, and overruling the actions of men. |
3. To prevail over (a person) so as to change or set aside his opinion. Also absol.
| 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, ii. ii. 50 When a World of men Could not preuayle with all their Oratorie, Yet hath a Womans kindnesse ouer-rul'd. 1594 Gibson in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 222 If a good reward could over-rule the doctor. 1622 F. Annesley in Fortescue P. (Camden) 184, I was overruled by most voyces to subscribe therunto, eaven against my will. 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. i. (1840) 22, I over-ruled him in that part. 1853 C. Brontë Villette xx, I found myself led and influenced by another's will, unpersuaded, quietly overruled. |
4. Of a thing: To prevail over, overcome.
| a 1586 Sidney (J.), Which humour perceiving to over-rule me, I strave against it. 1662 R. Mathew Unl. Alch. §31. 27 How speedily and effectually this Pill in few hours doth over-rule the disease, and in a little time doth cure them. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man i. i. 78 The violent Vibrations soon over-rule the natural Vibrations. 1877 Owen in Wellesley's Desp. p. xlvii, The general causes that overrule personal aims. |
5. To rule against, set aside, as by higher authority; spec. in Law: a. To set aside or reject the authority of (a previous action or decision) as a precedent; to annul, pronounce invalid. b. To rule against, reject (an argument, plea, etc.); to disallow (an action).
| 1593 Nashe Christ's T. 67 Sutes in Lawe ouer-ruled by Letters from aboue. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 6 Therefore he [Clement VIII] ouerruleth and frustrateth the grant of Pius the fourth. 1660 Trial Regic. 52 This Plea, which you have spoken of, it ought to be over-ruled, and not to stand good. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xvi. III. 629 Schomberg..when his opinion was overruled, retired to his tent in no very good humour. 1875 Stubbs Const. Hist. III. xviii. 140 note, The chancellor overruled the objections. |
c. To rule against (a person), to disallow or set aside the arguments or pleas of.
| 1660 R. Coke Power & Subj. 208, I myself have seen Chief Justice Littleton overrule the Ordinary..after the Ordinaries Deputy had pronounced legit ut clericus, and give sentence of death upon him for his non legit. 1667 Poole Dial. betw. Protest. & Papist (1735) 109 You will needs overrule the Apostle. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 19 Sir John Ernley..insisted that the delay should not exceed forty-eight hours: but he was overruled. |
Hence overˈruled ppl. a.; overˈruling vbl. n. and ppl. a.; overˈrulingly adv. (Webster 1847).
| 1586 B. Young Guazzo's Civ. Conv. iv. 208 b, We are not inueagled with those ouerrulinge passions, as youthes are. 1615 Bacon Let. Jas. I 12 Feb., If you take my lord Coke..your Majesty shall put an overruling nature into an over⁓ruling place. 1622 ― Hen. VII 135 It was a plaine and direct ouer-ruling of the king's title. 1806 T. S. Surr Winter in Lond. (ed. 3) I. 154 Both have been decreed by an over⁓ruling Providence. 1842 Manning Serm. xxvi. (1848) I. 402 There shall be strange overrulings of our blind judgments. 1898 Westm. Gaz. 17 Oct. 3/2 Mr. R. C. Lehmann..is part author of a ‘Digest of Overruled Cases’. |