overstring

[ oh-ver-string ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·strung; o·ver·strung or (Rare) o·ver·stringed; o·ver·string·ing.

1. Music. to arrange the strings of (a piano) so that the bass strings cross over the treble.
2. Archery. to string (a bow) too tightly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of overstring¹

First recorded in 1875–80; over- + string

Example Sentences

But the cedar bow must be cared for like a delicate machine; overstring it, and it breaks; twang it without an arrow, and it sunders the cords; scratch it, and it may splinter; wet it, and it is dead; let it lie on the ground, even, and it is weakened.

From Project Gutenberg