overextension en · NOUN
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 extension English overextension From over- + extension.
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) The state or quality of being overextended; extension beyond normal, correct, or appropriate bounds or limits.
Other nations sensed American overextension.
2009 February 13, David Brooks, “The Worst-Case Scenario”, in New York Times:
- (countable, uncountable) Application of a term to too many referents, as for example when a child uses cat to refer to all animals.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| overextensions | Number=Plur | lexicographic |