o·ver (ō'vər)
prep.

1. In or at a position above or higher than: a sign over the door; a hawk gliding over the hills.
2. 1. Above and across from one end or side to the other: a jump over the fence.
   2. To the other side of; across: strolled over the bridge.
   3. Across the edge of and down: fell over the cliff.
3. On the other side of: a village over the border.
4. 1. Upon the surface of: put a coat of varnish over the woodwork.
   2. On top of or down upon: clubbed him over the head; tripped over the toys.
5. 1. Through the extent of; all through: walked over the grounds; looked over the report.
   2. Through the medium of; via: addressed us over the loudspeaker; can't tell you over the phone.
6. So as to cover: put rocks over a cave entrance; threw a shawl over her shoulders.
7. Up to or higher than the level or height of: The water was over my shoulders.
8. 1. Through the period or duration of: records maintained over two years.
   2. Until or beyond the end of: stayed over the holidays.
9. More than in degree, quantity, or extent: over ten miles; over a thousand dollars.
10. 1. In superiority to: won a narrow victory over her rival; a distinct advantage over our competitors.
    2. In preference to: selected him over all the others.
11. In a position to rule or control: The director presides over the meeting. There is no one over him in the department.
12. So as to have an effect or influence on: the change that came over you.
13. While occupied with or engaged in: a chat over coffee.
14. With reference to; concerning: an argument over methods.

adv.

1. Above the top or surface: climbed the ladder and peered over.
2. 1. Across to another or opposite side: stopped at the curb, then crossed over.
   2. Across the edge, brink, or brim: The coffee spilled over.
   3. Across an intervening space: Throw the ball over.
3. 1. Across a distance in a particular direction or at a location: lives over in England.
   2. To another often specified place or position: Move your chair over toward the fire.
   3. To one's place of residence or business: invited us over for cocktails.
4. Throughout an entire area or region: wandered all over.
5. 1. To a different opinion or allegiance: win someone over.
   2. So as to be comprehensible, acceptable, or effective; across: eventually got my point over.
6. To a different person, condition, or title: sign the property over.
7. So as to be completely enclosed or covered: The river froze over. Engineers sealed the tunnel entrance over.
8. Completely through; from beginning to end: Think the problem over. Let's read the memo over.
9. 1. From an upright position: kicked the bookstand over.
   2. From an upward position to an inverted or reversed position: turn the paper over.
10. Another time; again: counted his cards over; had to do it over.
11. In repetition: made me write it ten times over.
12. In addition or excess; in surplus: lots of food left over.
13. Beyond or until a specified time: stay a day over.
14. At an end: Summer is over.

adj.

1. External; outer.
2. Excessive; extreme.
3. 1. Not yet used up; remaining.
   2. Extra; surplus.

n. Sports
A series of six balls bowled from one end of a cricket pitch.

tr.v., o·vered, o·ver·ing, o·vers.
To jump over: Horse and rider overed the stile with ease.

interj.
Used in two-way radio to indicate that a transmission is complete and a reply is awaited.

idioms:

over against

1. As opposed to; contrasted with.

over and above

1. In addition to: travel expenses over and above entertainment costs.

over and over

1. Again and again; repeatedly.

over with

1. Completely finished; done: Let's get the shopping over with.

[Middle English, from Old English ofer.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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