dictionary help| overlay | medical dictionary |
1. To lay, or spread, something over or across; hence, to cover; to overwhelm; to press excessively upon. "When any country is overlaid by the multitude which live upon it." (Sir W. Raleigh) "As when a cloud his beams doth overlay." (Spenser) "Framed of cedar overlaid with gold." (Milton) "And overlay With this portentous bridge the dark abyss." (Milton)
2. To smother with a close covering, or by lying upon. "This woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it." (1 Kings III. 19) "A heap of ashes that o'erlays your fire." (Dryden)
3. To put an overlay on.
Origin: Overlaid; Overlaying.
(01 Mar 1998)
overlapping, overlapping gene, overlapping reading frame < Prev | Next > overlay denture, overlearning, overlie
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