Library / English Dictionary

OVERDRIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected forms: overdriven    , overdrove   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A high gear used at high speeds to maintain the driving speed with less output power

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("overdrive" is a kind of...):

high; high gear (a forward gear with a gear ratio that gives the greatest vehicle velocity for a given engine speed)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The state of high or excessive activity or productivity or concentration

Example:

Melissa's brain was in overdrive

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("overdrive" is a kind of...):

action; activeness; activity (the state of being active)

Derivation:

overdrive (drive or work too hard)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make use of too often or too extensively

Synonyms:

overdrive; overuse

Classified under:

Verbs of eating and drinking

Hypernyms (to "overdrive" is one way to...):

apply; employ; use; utilise; utilize (put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Drive or work too hard

Example:

Overdriving people often suffer stress

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "overdrive" is one way to...):

exploit; overwork (work excessively hard)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

overdrive (the state of high or excessive activity or productivity or concentration)

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