o•ver•flow
Pronunciation: (v.ō"vur-flō'n.ō'vur-flō"), [key]
— v., n. -flowed, -flown, -flow•ing,
—v.i.
- to flow or run over, as rivers or water: After the thaw, the river overflows and causes great damage.
- to have the contents flowing over or spilling, as an overfull container: Stop pouring or your glass is going to overflow.
- to pass from one place or part to another as if flowing from an overfull space: The population overflowed into the adjoining territory.
- to be filled or supplied with in great measure: a heart overflowing with gratitude; a region overflowing with orchards and vineyards.
—v.t.
- to flow over; flood; inundate: The river overflowed several farms.
- to flow over or beyond (the brim, banks, borders, etc.).
- to cause to overflow.
- to flow over the edge or brim of (a receptacle, container, etc.).
- to fill to the point of running over.
—n.
- an overflowing: the annual overflow of the Nile.
- something that flows or runs over: to carry off the overflow from a fountain.
- a portion crowded out of an overfilled place: to house the overflow of the museum's collection in another building.
- an excess or superabundance: an overflow of applicants for the job.
- an outlet or receptacle for excess liquid: The tank is equipped with an overflow.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.