overwind

[ oh-ver-wahynd ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·wound, o·ver·wind·ing.

1. to wind beyond the proper limit; wind too far:

   He must have overwound his watch.

overwind

/ ˌəʊvəˈwaɪnd /

verb

1. tr to wind (a watch) beyond the proper limit

Word History and Origins

Origin of overwind¹

First recorded in 1675–85; over- + wind ²

Example Sentences

It will overwind and form a loop by crossing over DNA chains, tightening the structure.

From Science Daily

“It’s how my father taught me. If I don’t wind it consistently, it won’t keep time as well. And if I overwind it, the mainspring might break.”

From Literature

When Will was little, his dad used to let him wind it up, pulling out the tiny stem and turning the metal knob, careful never to overwind.

From Literature

My job is to admire it, not overwind it.

From New York Times

Young, moist tendrils do not tend to overwind, the researchers report online today in Science, but mature, dry tendrils do—helping to explain how delicate tendrils gradually stiffen to support a vine laden with cucumbers.

From Science Magazine