overset

[ verb oh-ver-set; noun oh-ver-set ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·set, o·ver·set·ting.

1. to upset or overturn; overthrow.
2. to throw into confusion; disorder physically or mentally.

verb (used without object)

, o·ver·set, o·ver·set·ting.

1. to become upset, overturned, or overthrown.
2. Printing.
   1. (of type or copy) to set in or to excess.
   2. (of space) to set too much type for.

noun

1. the act or fact of oversetting; upset; overturn.
2. Also called overmatter. Printing. matter set up in excess of space.

overset

verb

1. to disturb or upset
2. printing to set (type or copy) in excess of the space available

noun

1. See overmatter
   another name for overmatter

Other Words From

• over·setter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overset¹

1150–1200; Middle English oversetten; over-, set

Example Sentences

The captains huge hand, swinging back, overset the bottle, that gurgled out its life-blood.

From Project Gutenberg

With these words he left her; and, though abashed and overset, she found no sensation so powerful as joy for the safety of Edgar.

From Project Gutenberg

But the very theory of our Government will be overset by a reversal of the rule which I have attempted to describe.

From Project Gutenberg

He came, with a part of his army composed of those very Catholics, to overset the power of a Popish prince.

From Project Gutenberg

There was about this letter an absence of sentiment, and an absence of threat, and an absence of fuss, which almost overset her.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alter
• annul
• dismantle
• invalidate
• lift
• modify
• nullify
• overrule
• overturn
• quash
• repeal
• rescind
• revoke
• set aside
• undo