I. |ōvə(r)|hȯl verb
Etymology: over (I) + haul
transitive verb
1.
a. : to light (a ship's rope) along toward the block through which it is being hauled : pull (a ship's rope) through a block or lead so as to ease or slacken : clear , disentangle
b. : to haul the parts of (a tackle) so as to separate the blocks
2.
a. : to subject to strict examination with a view to correction or repair
our systems of education are being constantly overhauled — Saturday Review
the doctors … overhauled him and found him pretty sound — C.P.Snow
b. : to repair (as by replacement of worn parts and readjustment) so as to restore to satisfactory working order
overhaul an engine
c. : to clean up (a property) after a fire in order to make sure that the fire is extinguished and to prevent further damage (as by weather or falling debris)
3. : to gain upon in a chase : come up with : overtake
overhauled the transport very slowly — W.F.Jenkins
overhauled the United States in atomic research — New York Herald Tribune
intransitive verb
: to run or slack back when the pulling power is removed
an overhauling tackle
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : overhauling
she had just finished overhaul in the Navy Yard — Wirt Williams
planning a major overhaul of its highways — J.N.Robertson
had an overhaul , and was treated for sinus trouble — Viola Meynell
2.
a. : the distance for which payment is made for haulage of excavated material that is usually the excess over a specified distance of free haulage
b. : the number of cubic yards moved through the overhaul distance multiplied by the overhaul distance in units of 100 feet