Dictionary

overdriven en · ADJ

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Germanic *uber Old English ofer- Middle English over- English over- English driven English overdriven From over- + driven.

Meanings

1. Driven too hard, or beyond normal limits; exhausted.
   • Intertwining, staccato rhythmic patterns by overdriven guitars and basses — the kind of thing that makes rock critics say “angular” in their sleep — used to be merely a sign of semi-competence; now it’s a trademark post-punk device with 30 years of formidable history. 2007 February 18, Ben Ratliff, “Soft Balladry, Raw Angularity and Beats With Heavy Feet”, in New York Times:

Forms