— overreacher , n.
/oh'veuhr reech"/ , v.t.
1. to reach or extend over or beyond: The shelf overreached the nook and had to be planed down.
2. to go beyond, as a thing aimed at or sought: an arrow that had overreached the target.
3. to stretch to excess, as by a straining effort: to overreach one's arm and strain a muscle.
4. to defeat (oneself) by overdoing matters, often by excessive eagerness or cunning: In trying to promote disunity he had overreached himself.
5. to strain or exert (oneself or itself) to the point of exceeding the purpose.
6. to get the better of, esp. by deceit or trickery; outwit: Every time you deal with them you wonder if they're overreaching you.
7. to overtake.
8. Obs. to overpower.
v.i.
9. to reach or extend over something.
10. to reach too far: In grabbing for the rope he overreached and fell.
11. to cheat others.
12. (of a running or walking horse) to strike, or strike and injure, the forefoot with the hind foot.
13. Naut. to sail on a tack longer than is desirable or was intended; overstand.
[ 1250-1300; ME; see OVER-, REACH ]