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overwrote

 - 3 dictionary results

o⋅ver⋅write

  [oh-ver-rahyt] verb, -wrote, -writ⋅ten, -writ⋅ing.
Use overwrote in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to write in too elaborate, burdensome, diffuse, or prolix a style: He overwrites his essays to the point of absurdity.
2. to write in excess of the requirements, esp. so as to defeat the original intention: That young playwright tends to overwrite her big scenes.
3. to write on or over; cover with writing: a flyleaf overwritten with a dedication.
–verb (used without object)
4. to write too elaborately: The problem with so many young authors is that they tend to overwrite.
Origin:
1690–1700; over- + write
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To overwrote
o·ver·write   (ō'vər-rīt')   
v.   o·ver·wrote (-rōt'), o·ver·writ·ten (-rĭt'n), o·ver·writ·ing, o·ver·writes

v.   tr.

  1. To cover (something) with writing.

  2. To write about in an artificial or an excessively elaborate, wordy style.

  3. Computer Science

    1. To destroy or lose (old data) by recording new data over it: accidentally overwrote an important document.

    2. To record (new data) on top of already stored data, thus destroying the old data: overwrote an updated document on top of an earlier draft.

v.   intr.
To write artificial, excessively elaborate, or wordy prose.
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

overwrite 
1699, "to write over other writing," from over + write (q.v.). Of computers, it is attested from 1959. Meaning "to write too elaborately or ornately" is from 1923.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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