overbear
pronunciation
How to pronounce overbear in British English:
UK ['əʊvəˌbeə]
How to pronounce overbear in American English:
US ['oʊvəˌber]
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- Verb:
- overcome
- bear too much
- contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery
Word Origin
- overbear (v.)
- late 14c., "to carry over," from over- + bear (v.). Meaning "to bear down by weight of physical force" is from 1535 (in Coverdale), originally nautical, of an overwhelming wind; figurative sense of "to overcome and repress by power, authority, etc." is from 1560s.
Example
- 1. Take us out or they 'll overbear us .
- 2. Overbear criticism , protest , or arguments .