overlying
|o-ver-ly-ing|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊvərˈlaɪɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊvəˈlaɪɪŋ/
(overlie)
lie on top
Etymology
Etymology Information
'overlying' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'oferlicgan', where 'ofer-' meant 'over' and 'licgan' meant 'to lie'.
Historical Evolution
'oferlicgan' transformed into the Middle English word 'overligen', and eventually became the modern English word 'overlie'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to lie over something', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle of 'overlie'.
The sediments are overlying the older rock formations.
Adjective 1
situated on top of something else.
The overlying rock layer was difficult to penetrate.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/27 09:05