| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ verb
Etymology: Middle English overtaken, from over (I) + taken to take
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to come or catch up with in pursuit or motion
the next cart they overtook — F.V.W.Mason
(2) : to catch up with in some course, rivalry, or task
not for several months could the printers overtake the demand — I.M.Price
already overtaking Britain in steel production — Giorgio de Santillana
overtaken and easily passed by Berlin — Times Literary Supplement
(3) chiefly Britain : to accomplish within a prescribed time or under the pressure of other duties
b. : to catch up with and pass
within four years it overtook all other American bands by leaps and bounds — Ann M. Lingg
specifically chiefly Britain : to go by (another vehicle)
got behind a lorry and could not overtake it for miles
2. : to come upon or happen to suddenly or unexpectedly : seize , involve
overtaken by a sudden and vicious blizzard — Richard Thruelsen
a strange adventure overtook him — British Book Centre
changes and contrasts that have overtaken England — S.P.B.Mais
when calamities overtake the King — Donald Harrington
3.
a. chiefly Scotland : captivate , ensnare
who married, or rather was overtaken — R.M.Macandrew
b. archaic : intoxicate
4. : to win a trick by playing a higher card than (one's partner's winning card)
intransitive verb
chiefly Britain : to pass another vehicle
never attempt to overtake on the crest of a hill — Noreen Routledge