I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ verb
Etymology: Middle English overcasten, from over (I) + casten to cast
transitive verb
1. archaic : to cast down : overthrow
2.
a. : cloud , darken , overshadow
it is the existence of evil … which overcasts life — F.L.Mott
b. : to cast or cover over : overspread
the smoke haze that overcast the distant mountains — L.C.Douglas
something of reverence, overcast with egotism — G.B.Johnson
3.
a.
(1) : to sew with an overcast stitch from one section of (a book) to the next
(2) : to reinforce along the back of (a signature) by stitching through half of the leaves
(3) : to fasten (single leaves) as a group by an overcast stitch at the binding edge : whipstitch
b. : to sew over the edge of ; specifically : to sew (raw edges of a seam) with long slanting widely spaced stitches to prevent raveling
intransitive verb
1. : to become overcast : darken
2. : to make an overbowl at lawn bowls
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ adjective
Etymology: from past participle of overcast (I)
1.
a. : clouded over
an overcast night
b. : depressed , gloomy
his handsome countenance … was overcast — Rafael Sabatini
2. geology : overturned
an overcast fold
III. noun
Etymology: overcast (I)
1. : covering
with an overcast of irony — R.M.Coates
especially : a covering of clouds over the sky
the land rose in pink and violet dales, shading finally into the overcast above the harbor — Norman Mailer
2. : an arch or support that carries an overhead passage ; especially : one that carries a passage over another passage in a mine
3. : sewing that has been overcast
[s]overcast.jpg[/s] [
overcast stitch
]