OVERTAKING • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Overtaking

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/ˈoʊvərtˌeɪkɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Overtake v. t. (past overtook; past part. overtaken; pres. part. overtaking)

To come up with in a race, pursuit, progress, or motion; also, To catch up with and move ahead of. "Follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say... Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good." "He had him overtaken in his flight."

Hence: To surpass in production, achievement, etc.; as, although out of school for half a year due to illness, the student returned and overtook all the others to finish as valedictorian.

To come upon from behind; to discover; to surprise; to capture; to overcome. "If a man be overtaken in a fault." "I shall see The winged vengeance overtake such children."

Hence, figuratively, in the past participle (overtaken), drunken. (Obs.)

To frustrate or render impossible or irrelevant; used mostly of plans, and commonly in the phrase overtaken by events; as, their careful marketing plan was overtaken by events.

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Etymology of 'Overtaking'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Overtaking" Quotes from Famous Books

... overtaking the two ships of the enemy, efforts shall be made to grapple and board their flagship, where their force is carried. This same effort shall be made by the flagship of this fleet; but in case the flagship of the enemy cannot be overtaken, and their almiranta is in such a condition ...

— The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 - Volume XI, 1599-1602 • Various

... when they saw a notice, stating that Brahe had left that very morning. He would be then only seven hours' march away. The three men looked at one another in blank dismay; but they were so worn out that they could not possibly move forward with any hope of overtaking the fresh camels of Brahe's party. On looking round, however, they saw the word "dig" cut on a neighbouring tree; and, when they turned up the soil, they found a small ...

— History of Australia and New Zealand - From 1606 to 1890 • Alexander Sutherland

... of the porch into the thickening night, he seemed to see her everywhere. He fancied she had gone on in front, and he hurried up the boys in the hope of overtaking her. They pushed through the throng of dim people going homeward. Should he raise his hat to her again?... But it was Susie Hopbrow in a light-coloured dress—a raven in dove's plumage. He felt a curious mixture ...

— Love and Mr. Lewisham • H. G. Wells

... thus uttered had the desired effect. Up to that time the sailor, sunk low in the water by reason of the extra weight, had not become fully cognisant of the peril of his position. Hitherto his mind had been more occupied with the idea of overtaking the raft, than any danger to be dreaded from sharks. He was not even aware of the zygaena's approach; for the fin, which had betrayed the monster's presence to those on the Catamaran,—from being seen en profile,— could not so easily be distinguished when viewed in "front-face." No wonder, ...

— The Ocean Waifs - A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea • Mayne Reid

... and the decisive battle of Five Forks compelled General Lee to evacuate Petersburg and Richmond. Lee was soon in flight, but Sheridan was speedily on his trail, and, far away in the Northern van, he constantly harassed the enemy. Overtaking the flying army at Sailor's Creek, he captured sixteen guns and four hundred wagons, and detained the enemy until the Sixth Corps could come up, when a combined attack resulted in the capture of more ...

— Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 2 of 8 • Various

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