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overflowing

 - 4 dictionary results

o⋅ver⋅flow

  [v. oh-ver-floh; n. oh-ver-floh] verb, -flowed, -flown, -flow⋅ing, noun
Use overflowing in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to flow or run over, as rivers or water: After the thaw, the river overflows and causes great damage.
2. to have the contents flowing over or spilling, as an overfull container: Stop pouring or your glass is going to overflow.
3. to pass from one place or part to another as if flowing from an overfull space: The population overflowed into the adjoining territory.
4. to be filled or supplied with in great measure: a heart overflowing with gratitude; a region overflowing with orchards and vineyards.
–verb (used with object)
5. to flow over; flood; inundate: The river overflowed several farms.
6. to flow over or beyond (the brim, banks, borders, etc.).
7. to cause to overflow.
8. to flow over the edge or brim of (a receptacle, container, etc.).
9. to fill to the point of running over.
–noun
10. an overflowing: the annual overflow of the Nile.
11. something that flows or runs over: to carry off the overflow from a fountain.
12. a portion crowded out of an overfilled place: to house the overflow of the museum's collection in another building.
13. an excess or superabundance: an overflow of applicants for the job.
14. an outlet or receptacle for excess liquid: The tank is equipped with an overflow.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME overflowen, OE oferflōwan. See over-, flow

Related forms:
o⋅ver⋅flow⋅a⋅ble, adjective
o⋅ver⋅flow⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
13. overabundance, surplus, plethora, flood, glut.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To overflowing
o·ver·flow   (ō'vər-flō')   
v.   o·ver·flowed, o·ver·flow·ing, o·ver·flows

v.   intr.

  1. To flow or run over the top, brim, or banks.

  2. To be filled beyond capacity, as a container or waterway.

  3. To have a boundless supply; be superabundant. See Synonyms at teem1.

v.   tr.

  1. To flow over the top, brim, or banks of.

  2. To spread or cover over; flood.

  3. To cause to fill beyond capacity.

n.   (ō'vər-flō')

  1. The act of overflowing.

  2. Something that flows over; an excess.

  3. An outlet or vent through which excess liquid may escape.

  4. Computer Science A condition in which a calculation produces a unit of data too large to be stored in the location allotted to it.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

overflow  (v.)
O.E. oferfleow "to flow across, flood, inundate," also "to flow over (a brim or bank)," from ofer "over" + fleow "flow." The noun is attested from 1589.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: over·flow
Pronunciation: 'O-v&r-"flO
Function: noun
: an excessive flow or amount
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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