Overweigh: meaning, definitions and examples
⚖️
overweigh
[ ˌoʊvərˈweɪ ]
weight comparison
To overwear is to have a greater weight than something else, often referring to a heavier load or burden. This term can also imply that someone or something is excessively large or burdensome relative to a specific standard or measure.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The backpack was so heavy that it seemed to overwrite his ability to hike.
- She started to overwear the scales during her fitness journey.
- The elephant's mass can overwear that of other animals in the savanna.
Word origin
The term 'overweigh' is a compound of the prefix 'over-' which indicates excessiveness, and the verb 'weigh', which derives from the Old English 'wegan' meaning to carry or to have weight. The origin of the prefix 'over-' can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic '*uberi', which conveys the sense of surpassing or being above a certain limit. Thus, 'overweigh' combines these concepts to denote something that surpasses in weight, often implying an imbalance or unnecessary excess. The usage of 'overweigh' can be found in various contexts, which highlight experiences related to burdens, emotional and physical weight, suggesting that it has practical as well as metaphorical applications in the English language.