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Overlay

//ˌəʊ.vəˈleɪ// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An image to be overlaid on another; a superimposition or diapositive.
  2. 2
    a layer of decorative material (such as gold leaf or wood veneer) applied over a surface wordnet
  3. 3
    A piece of paper pasted upon the tympan sheet to improve the impression by making it stronger at a particular place.
  4. 4
    protective covering consisting, for example, of a layer of boards applied to the studs and joists of a building to strengthen it and serve as a foundation for a weatherproof exterior wordnet
  5. 5
    Odds which are set higher than expected or warranted. Favorable odds.
Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    A horse going off at higher odds than it appears to warrant, based on its past performances.
  2. 7
    A decal attached to a computer keyboard to relabel the keys.

    "The keyboard overlay can be a memory jogger and a great help with spelling. In this way the keyboard makes word processing more accessible to younger as well as special needs children."

  3. 8
    A block of program code that is loaded over something previously loaded, so as to replace the functionality.

    "This concept can be extended further by allowing a primary overlay to call a secondary overlay, and so on. However, we will limit ourselves here to the use of primary overlays. Before proceeding further, you need to understand the memory map of the computer, which is a diagram showing the use to which the memory of the computer is put."

  4. 9
    A pop-up covering an existing part of the display. Internet
  5. 10
    A cravat. Scotland
  6. 11
    A covering over something else.

    "The first, on January 1, 1883, was attributed to the overlay becoming surcharged with water, due to insufficient drainage, and causing a slip."

Verb
  1. 1
    To lay, spread, or apply (something) over or across (something else); to overspread. transitive

    "Near-synonyms: cover, superimpose, superpose"

  2. 2
    simple past of overlie form-of, past
  3. 3
    kill by lying on wordnet
  4. 4
    To overwhelm; to press excessively upon.

    "when any country is overlaid by the multitude which live upon it"

  5. 5
    put something on top of something else wordnet
Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    To lie over (someone, especially a child) in order to smother it; to suffocate. archaic, transitive

    "And this womans childe died in the night: because she ouerlaid it."

  2. 7
    To put an overlay on. transitive
  3. 8
    To bet too much money on. transitive

    "[…] he has 'overlaid' his book, and has not succeeded in 'getting round' by bets against the other horses."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English overleyen, from Old English oferleċġan, from Proto-West Germanic *obarlaggjan, from Proto-Germanic *uberlagjaną, equivalent to over- + lay. Cognate with Saterland Frisian uurläze, úurlääse, Dutch overleggen, German Low German overleggen, överleggen, German überlegen, Swedish överlägga, Norwegian overlegge. Compare overlie.

Etymology 2

From Middle English overleyen, from Old English oferleċġan, from Proto-West Germanic *obarlaggjan, from Proto-Germanic *uberlagjaną, equivalent to over- + lay. Cognate with Saterland Frisian uurläze, úurlääse, Dutch overleggen, German Low German overleggen, överleggen, German überlegen, Swedish överlägga, Norwegian overlegge. Compare overlie.

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