I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English overleyen, from over (I) + leyen to lay
1.
a. : to lay or spread over or across : superimpose , cover
the whole subject … is overlaid by stratum upon stratum of folklore — C.H.Andrewes
overlaid with a thick veneer — Paul Pickrel
b. printing : to prepare an overlay for
overlay a cut
2.
a. obsolete : to crush or overwhelm by massive force : overpower
b. : to smother (as an infant) by lying upon
c. archaic : to weigh down : overburden , encumber
3. : to hide or obscure by or as if by superimposition
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. Scotland : necktie , cravat
2. : a covering either permanent or of a temporary and removable kind: as
a. : ornamental work formed by overlaying as with veneer
b. : an ornamental metal covering produced by inserting a decoration made of another metal
c. : a transparent cover on art work or a photograph ; especially : such a cover carrying instructions to the engraver (as for color breaks or cropping)
d. : material (as paper patches) added to the packing on a printing press to make a stronger impression ; also : the patched sheet itself — compare interlay , underlay
e. : a decorative and contrasting design or article placed on top of a plain one
an overlay of lace on a black collar
f. : a transparent sheet containing graphic matter (as map data) to be superimposed on another sheet (as a map or photograph)
3. : a betting situation in which the odds on a horse go up beyond those estimated by the track handicapper in the morning line