overflow Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a large flow
    outpouring; flood.
  2. noun the occurrence of surplus liquid (as water) exceeding the limit or capacity
    runoff; overspill.
  3. verb flow or run over (a limit or brim)
    run over; well over; brim over; overrun.
  4. verb overflow with a certain feeling
    bubble over; spill over.
    • The children bubbled over with joy
    • My boss was bubbling over with anger

WordNet

O`ver*flow" transitive verb
Etymology
AS. oferflwan. See Over, and Flow.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Overflowed ; present participle & verbal noun Overflowing
Definitions
  1. To flow over; to cover woth, or as with, water or other fluid; to spread over; to inundate; to overwhelm.
    The northern nations overflowed all Christendom. Spenser.
  2. To flow over the brim of; to fill more than full.
O`ver*flow" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To run over the bounds.
  2. To be superabundant; to abound. Rogers.
O"ver*flow` noun
Definitions
  1. A flowing over, as of water or other fluid; an inundation. Bacon.
  2. That which flows over; a superfluous portion; a superabundance. Shak.
  3. An outlet for the escape of surplus liquid.

Webster 1913