overwind

American  

[oh-ver-wahynd] / ˌoʊ vərˈwaɪnd /

verb (used with object)

overwound, overwinding

1. to wind beyond the proper limit; wind too far.

   He must have overwound his watch.

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overwind British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈwaɪnd /

verb

1. (tr) to wind (a watch) beyond the proper limit

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Etymology

Origin of overwind

First recorded in 1675–85; over- + wind ²

Example Sentences

It will overwind and form a loop by crossing over DNA chains, tightening the structure.

From Science Daily

My job is to admire it, not overwind it.

From New York Times

Young, moist tendrils do not tend to overwind, the researchers report online today in Science, but mature, dry tendrils do—helping to explain how delicate tendrils gradually stiffen to support a vine laden with cucumbers.

From Science Magazine

Overwind, ō-vėr-wīnd′, v.t. to wind too far.

From Project Gutenberg

The reason for this is that motion is conveyed to this hand through a hair spring which would be damaged if allowed to overwind.

From Project Gutenberg