Ō/ver-whĕlm′1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. OVERWHELMED; p. pr. & vb. n. OVERWHELMING.]
- To overspread or crush beneath something violent and weighty, that covers or encompasses the whole; as, to overwhelm with waves.
- Hence, to immerse and bear down; to overcome; to crush; as, to be overwhelmed with cares, afflictions, or business.
The story . . . was proved by overwhelming testimony to be false. Macaulay.
- To overlook gloomily. [Obs.] Shak.
- To put over. [Obs.]