overcome

English

/ˌəʊvəˈkʌm/, /ˌoʊvəɹˈkʌm/

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To surmount (a physical or abstract obstacle); to prevail over, to get the better of.
  • (transitive) To win or prevail in some sort of battle, contest, etc.
  • To come or pass over; to spread over.
  • To overflow; to surcharge.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English overcomen inherited from Old English ofercuman (compel, subdue, overcome, attain, overtake, obtain, reach, conquer) prefix from English come (comer, arrival).

Origin

English

come

Gloss

comer, arrival

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms