O.E. ofer-cuman "to reach, overtake," also "to conquer, prevail over," from ofer "over" + cuman "to come" (see come). A common Gmc. compound (cf. M.Du. overkomen, O.H.G. ubarqueman, Ger. überkommen). In ref. to mental or chemical force, "to overwhelm, render helpless," it is in late O.E. Meaning "to surmount" (a difficulty or obstacle) is from c.1205. The Civil Rights anthem "We Shall Overcome" was put together c.1950s from lyrics from Charles Tindley's spiritual "I'll Overcome Some Day" (1901), and melody from pre-Civil War spiritual "No More Auction Block for Me."
win a victory over; "You must overcome all difficulties"; "defeat your enemies"; "He overcame his shyness"; "He overcame his infirmity"; "Her anger got the better of her and she blew up" [syn: get the better of]
2.
get on top of; deal with successfully; "He overcame his shyness"
3.
overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli [syn: overwhelm]
4.
overcome, usually through no fault or weakness of the person that is overcome; "Heart disease can get the best of us" [syn: get the best]
Con"quer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Conquered; p. pr. & vb. n. Conquering.] [OF. conquerre, F. conqu['e]rir, fr. L. conquirere, -quisitum, to seek or search for, to bring together, LL., to conquer; con- + quaerere to seek. See Quest.]1. To gain or acquire by force; to take possession of by violent means; to gain dominion over; to subdue by physical means; to reduce; to overcome by force of arms; to cause to yield; to vanquish. "If thou conquer Rome." --Shak. If we be conquer'd, let men conquer us. --Shak. We conquered France, but felt our captive's charms. --Pope. 2. To subdue or overcome by mental or moral power; to surmount; as, to conquer difficulties, temptation, etc. By winning words to conquer hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear. --Milton. 3. To gain or obtain, overcoming obstacles in the way; to win; as, to conquer freedom; to conquer a peace. Syn: To subdue; vanquish; overcome; overpower; overthrow; defeat; rout; discomfit; subjugate; reduce; humble; crush; surmount; subject; master. Usage: To Conquer, Vanquish, Subdue, Subjugate, Overcome. These words agree in the general idea expressed by overcome, -- that of bringing under one's power by the exertion of force. Conquer is wider and more general than vanquish, denoting usually a succession of conflicts. Vanquish is more individual, and refers usually to a single conflict. Thus, Alexander conquered Asia in a succession of battles, and vanquished Darius in one decisive engagement. Subdue implies a more gradual and continual pressure, but a surer and more final subjection. We speak of a nation as subdued when its spirit is at last broken, so that no further resistance is offered. Subjugate is to bring completely under the yoke of bondage. The ancient Gauls were never finally subdued by the Romans until they were completely subjugated. These words, when used figuratively, have correspondent meanings. We conquer our prejudices or aversions by a succesion of conflicts; but we sometimes vanquish our reluctance to duty by one decided effort: we endeavor to subdue our evil propensities by watchful and persevering exertions. Subjugate is more commonly taken in its primary meaning, and when used figuratively has generally a bad sense; as, his reason was completely subjugated to the sway of his passions.
O`ver*come"\, v. t. [imp. Overcame; p. p. Overcome; p. pr & vb. n. Overcoming.] [AS. ofercuman. See Over, Come, and cf. Supervene.]1. To get the better of; to surmount; to conquer; to subdue; as, to overcome enemies in battle. This wretched woman overcome Of anguish, rather than of crime, hath been. --Spenser. 2. To overflow; to surcharge. [Obs.] --J. Philips. 3. To come or pass over; to spreads over. [Obs.] And overcome us like a summer's cloud. --Shak. Syn: To conquer; subdue; vanquish; overpower; overthrow; overturn; defeat; crush; overbear; overwhelm; prostrate; beat; surmount. See Conquer.
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Audio Help [oh-ver-kuhm] Pronunciation Key verb, -came, -come, -com·ing. 
