Langimage
English

overstraining

|o/ver/strain/ing|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˌoʊvərˈstreɪnɪŋ/

🇬🇧

/ˌəʊvəˈstreɪnɪŋ/

(overstrain)

excessive stress

Base Form3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent Participle
overstrainoverstrainsoverstrainedoverstrainedoverstraining
Etymology
Etymology Information

'overstrain' originates from the prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' and the verb 'strain' meaning 'to stretch tightly'.

Historical Evolution

'overstrain' evolved from the Middle English word 'streinen', which meant 'to stretch tightly', combined with the prefix 'over-'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to stretch something too tightly', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'exerting beyond a safe limit'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

to exert oneself or something beyond a safe or reasonable limit.

He was overstraining himself by working late every night.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45