overstrung

[oh-ver-struhng]

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adjective

overly tense or sensitive; strained; on edge: Their nerves were badly overstrung.

Archery. (of a bow) strung too tightly.

Origin of overstrung

First recorded in 1800–10; over- + strung

overstring

[oh-ver-string]

verb (used with object), o·ver·strung; o·ver·strung or (Rare) o·ver·stringed; o·ver·string·ing.

Music. to arrange the strings of (a piano) so that the bass strings cross over the treble.

Archery. to string (a bow) too tightly.

Origin of overstring

First recorded in 1875–80; over- + string

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for overstrung

frantic, restless, skittish, uneasy, uptight, tense, excited, affected, agitated, crazy, distracted, emotional, excitable, high, nervous, neurotic, overexcited, overworked, spent, tired

Examples from the Web for overstrung

Historical Examples of overstrung

But it is all through every one being so overstrung, I suppose.
Hunting the Skipper
George Manville Fenn
Now, Phyllis was tired with much hurried work, and overstrung.
The Rose Garden Husband
Margaret Widdemer
And to Katherine, overstrung as she was, the words came as a rebuke.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady
Lucas Malet
He knew this time that it was not the hallucination of overstrung nerves.
The Rest Hollow Mystery
Rebecca N. Porter
Stunned by his overstrung emotions, he could only bow his head.
Visionaries
James Huneker

British Dictionary definitions for overstrung

overstrung

adjective

too highly strung; tense

(of a piano) having two sets of strings crossing each other at an oblique angle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012