overwork
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L324909 on Wikidata ↗verb
- to cause to work excessively
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈəʊvəˌwɜːk/ / /ˈoʊvɚˌwɝk/ / /ˌəʊvəˈwɜːk/ / /ˌoʊvɚˈwɝk/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English overwerc, from Old English oferweorc, oferġeweorc (“an overwork, superstructure, tomb”), equivalent to over- + work.
- A superstructure.
- Excessive work.
“Various disordered conditions consequent upon overwork, which are characteristic of modern civilisation.”
“He says that more men are killed by overwork than the importance of this world justifies. He maintains that overwork slew Pansay who died under his hands about three years ago.”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English overwerken, possibly from Old English oferwyrċan (“to overwork, overlay”), equivalent to over- + work. Cognate with Dutch overwerken (“to overwork”).
- To make (someone or something) work too hard.
“to overwork a horse”
“For some years locomotives and coaches have been overworked and undermaintained to a degree without precedent in British railway history, and the leeway in maintenance now to be made up is very great.”
- To work too hard.
- To fill too full of work; to crowd with labour.
“My days with toil are overwrought.”
- To decorate all over.