overcome

verb

1. 1

   To surmount (a physical or abstract obstacle); to prevail over, to get the better of.

   But sith this wretched woman ouercome / Of anguish, rather then of crime hath beene,

   By and by fumes of brandy began to fill the air, and climb to where I lay, overcoming the mouldy smell of decayed wood and the dampness of the green walls.

   In the early days troubles were experienced with oscillation from the rod drive and with the transformers, but were overcome later, and these machines performed useful service until superseded by more modern locomotives less costly in maintenance.

2. 2

   To prevail.

   Hee that ouercommeth, the same shalbe clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the booke of life, but I will confesse his name before my Father, and before his Angels.

   We shall overcome because Carlyle is right; "no lie can live forever".

   Preacher: Maintain, my brothers and sisters--we have faced adversity, and overcome. This is but a test! Preacher: Remember the pillars of strength that hold our people high. Show the galaxy our resolve!

3. 3

   To recover from (a difficulty), to get over.

4. 4

   To win against or prevail over in some sort of battle, contest, etc.

   to overcome enemies in battle

   Ther with all cam kyng Arthur but with a fewe peple and slewe on the lyfte hand and on the ryght hand that wel nyhe ther escaped no man / but alle were slayne to the nombre of xxx M / And whan the bataille was all ended the kynge kneled doune and thanked god mekely / and thenne he sente for the quene and soone she was come / and she maade grete Ioye of the ouercomynge of that bataille

5. 5

   To come or pass over; to spread over.

   I was overcome with anger.

   And overcome us like a summer's cloud.

   The firefighters put on breathing apparatus and managed to find the injured. In one case, they were almost too late - one of the bystanders who had helped with the initial rescue attempts had been reported missing. They were later found unconscious, having been overcome by the fumes.

6. 6

   obsoleteTo overflow; to surcharge.

   A Crop so plenteous, as the Land to load, O'ercome the crowded Barns

   Th' unfallow'd Glebe Yearly o'ercomes the Granaries with Store Of Golden Wheat.

noun

1. 1

   The burden or recurring theme in a song.

2. 2

   A surplus.

adjective

1. 1

   That has been overcome, prevailed over.

Forms

plural

overcomes

past tense

overcame

present participle

overcoming

third person singular

overcomes