overcall

American  

[oh-ver-kawl, oh-ver-kawl, oh-ver-kawl] / ˌoʊ vərˈkɔl, ˈoʊ vərˌkɔl, ˈoʊ vərˌkɔl /

verb (used with or without object)

1. Cards. to make an overcall.

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noun

1. Cards. a bid higher than the previous bid.

2. Bridge. a bid on a higher level than, or in a higher ranking suit than, the previous bid of an opponent that was not followed by a bid or double by one's partner.

3. Theater. a clause in an investor's agreement whereby the backer agrees to supply an additional amount of money, often 10 to 20 percent of the original amount, should it be required by the producers.

overcall British  

noun

1. a bid higher than the preceding one

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verb

1. to bid higher than (an opponent)

Etymology

Origin of overcall

First recorded in 1905–10; over- + call

Example Sentences

West, following his partner’s weak jump overcall, led the club six.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2014

In the given auction, North made an aggressive reopening double of East’s three-spade overcall.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2014

And then the weak one-spade overcall bore fruit.

From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2014

Today, many Wests would overcall one heart with two clubs or make a takeout double and probably reach three clubs, which is laydown.

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2014

"Two Diamonds" will still overcall "One No Trump," although the "no trump" declaration has been doubled.

From Hoyle's Games Modernized by Hoffmann, Louis