I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ verb
Etymology: Middle English overrechen, from over (I) + rechen to reach
transitive verb
1. : to reach above or beyond : go beyond : overtop
regard anything as vulgar that overreaches their own attempts — R.P.Warren
2. : to reach or come up with : overtake
3. : to defeat or thwart (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much
one promoter, overreaching himself, demanded an exorbitant price — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
owns a number of … properties but has never overreached himself — W.L.Gresham
or by being too crafty
the red prowler's cunning overreached itself — C.G.D.Roberts
4. : to get the better of especially by sharp, unfair, tricky, or deceitful means : outwit
never made any bargain without overreaching … the person with whom he dealt — Henry Fielding
intransitive verb
1. of a horse : to strike the toe of the hind foot against the heel or quarter of the forefoot : grab
2.
a. : to reach or go too far : go to excess
if at times the argument wears thin, it is because … he overreaches — S.L.A.Marshall
b. : exaggerate
Synonyms: see cheat
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : the act of overreaching
2.
a. : the act of striking the heel of the forefoot with the toe of the hind foot — used of a horse
b. : the injury so caused