overleap

[ oh-ver-leep ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·leaped or o·ver·leapt, o·ver·leap·ing.

1. to leap over or across:

   to overleap a fence.

2. to overreach (oneself ) by leaping too far:

   to overleap oneself with ambition.

3. to pass over or omit:

   to overleap important steps and reach erroneous conclusions.

4. Archaic. to leap farther than; outleap.

Word History and Origins

Origin of overleap¹

before 900; Middle English overlepen, Old English oferhlēapan. See over-, leap

Example Sentences

“But there are more significant hurdles,” she says: hurdles modern medicine hasn’t found a way to consistently overleap quite yet.

From Time

The operative in Iraq had “overleaped” in suggesting that Chinese troops are in Syria, Mr. Clarridge said, adding of the operative, “You know how it goes when people are desperate for some headline.”

From New York Times

Had it been waiting all these years to overleap the barriers about her well ordered life and sweep her into chaos?

From Project Gutenberg

Young diplomatists and young greyhounds run fast and overleap the game.

From Project Gutenberg

For those two hundred million dollars were a barrier, which a descendant of Crusaders and preux chevaliers could not overleap.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ascend
• bounce
• bound
• leap
• soar