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overhaul

 - 3 dictionary results

o⋅ver⋅haul

[v. oh-ver-hawl, oh-ver-hawl; n. oh-ver-hawl]
–verb (used with object)
1. to make necessary repairs on; restore to serviceable condition: My car was overhauled by an expert mechanic.
2. to investigate or examine thoroughly for repair or revision: Next year we're going to overhaul the curriculum.
3. to gain upon, catch up with, or overtake, as in a race.
4. to haul or turn over for examination.
5. Nautical.
a. to slacken (a rope) by hauling in the opposite direction to that in which the rope was drawn taut.
b. to release the blocks of (a tackle).
–noun
6. Also, o⋅ver⋅haul⋅ing. a general examination and repair: The state roads were badly in need of a major overhaul.

Origin:
1620–30; over- + haul


o⋅ver⋅haul⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To overhaul
o·ver·haul   (ō'vər-hôl', ō'vər-hôl')   
tr.v.   o·ver·hauled, o·ver·haul·ing, o·ver·hauls
    1. To examine or go over carefully for needed repairs.

    2. To dismantle in order to make repairs.

    3. Nautical To slacken (a line) or to release and separate the blocks of (a tackle).

  1. To make extensive renovations or revisions on; renovate: proposals to overhaul the health care system.

  2. To catch up with; overtake.

n.   (ō'vər-hôl')
  1. An act of overhauling.

  2. A repair job.

o'ver·haul'er n.
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

overhaul 
1626, from over + haul (q.v.), originally nautical, "pull rigging apart for examination," which was done by slackening the rope by pulling in the opposite direction to that in which it is pulled in hoisting. The noun is attested from 1826. Replaced overhale in sense of "overtake" (1793).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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