from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Over \O"ver\ ([=o]"v[~e]r), prep. [AS. ofer; akin to D. over, G.
["u]ber, OHG. ubir, ubar, Dan. over, Sw. ["o]fver, Icel.
yfir, Goth. ufar, L. super, Gr. "ype`r, Skr. upari.
[root]199. Cf. {Above}, {Eaves}, {Hyper-}, {Orlop}, {Super-},
{Sovereign}, {Up}.]
1. Above, or higher than, in place or position, with the idea
of covering; -- opposed to {under}; as, clouds are over
our heads; the smoke rises over the city.
[1913 Webster]
The mercy seat that is over the testimony. --Ex.
xxx. 6.
[1913 Webster]
Over them gleamed far off the crimson banners of
morning. --Longfellow.
[1913 Webster]
2. Across; from side to side of; -- implying a passing or
moving, either above the substance or thing, or on the
surface of it; as, a dog leaps over a stream or a table.
[1913 Webster]
Certain lakes . . . poison birds which fly over
them. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
3. Upon the surface of, or the whole surface of; hither and
thither upon; throughout the whole extent of; as, to
wander over the earth; to walk over a field, or over a
city.
[1913 Webster]
4. Above; -- implying superiority in excellence, dignity,
condition, or value; as, the advantages which the
Christian world has over the heathen. --Swift.
[1913 Webster]
5. Above in authority or station; -- implying government,
direction, care, attention, guard, responsibility, etc.;
-- opposed to {under}.
[1913 Webster]
Thou shalt be over my house. --Gen. xli.
40.
[1913 Webster]
I will make thee rules over many things. --Matt.
xxv. 23.
[1913 Webster]
Dost thou not watch over my sin ? --Job xiv. 16.
[1913 Webster]
His tender mercies are over all his works. --Ps.
cxlv. 9.
[1913 Webster]
6. Across or during the time of; from beginning to end of;
as, to keep anything over night; to keep corn over winter.
[1913 Webster]
7. Above the perpendicular height or length of, with an idea
of measurement; as, the water, or the depth of water, was
over his head, over his shoes.
[1913 Webster]
8. Beyond; in excess of; in addition to; more than; as, it
cost over five dollars. "Over all this." --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
9. Above, implying superiority after a contest; in spite of;
notwithstanding; as, he triumphed over difficulties; the
bill was passed over the veto.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Over, in poetry, is often contracted into o'er.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Over his signature (or name) is a substitute for the
idiomatic English form, under his signature (name, hand
and seal, etc.), the reference in the latter form being
to the authority under which the writing is made,
executed, or published, and not the place of the
autograph, etc.
[1913 Webster]
{Over all} (Her.), placed over or upon other bearings, and
therefore hinding them in part; -- said of a charge.
{Over one's head}, {Over head and ears}, beyond one's depth;
completely; wholly; hopelessly; as, over head and ears in
debt.
{head over heels}
(a) completely; intensely; as, head over heels in love.
[Colloq.]
(b) in a tumbling manner; as, to fall head over heels down
the stairs.
(c) precipitously and without forethought; impulsively.
{Over the left}. See under {Left}.
{To run over} (Mach.), to have rotation in such direction
that the crank pin traverses the upper, or front, half of
its path in the forward, or outward, stroke; -- said of a
crank which drives, or is driven by, a reciprocating
piece.
[1913 Webster]