overlay

Pronunciation: /ˌoʊvɚˈleɪ/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun protective covering consisting, for example, of a layer of boards applied to the studs and joists of a building to strengthen it and serve as a foundation for a weatherproof exterior
  2. noun a layer of decorative material (such as gold leaf or wood veneer) applied over a surface
  3. verb put something on top of something else

Etymology

From Middle English overleyen, from Old English oferleċġan, from Proto-West Germanic *obarlaggjan, from Proto-Germanic *uberlagjaną, equivalent to over- + lay. Cognate with Saterland Frisian uurläze, úurlääse, Dutch overleggen, German Low German overleggen, överleggen, German überlegen, Swedish överlägga, Norwegian overlegge. Compare overlie.

In classic literature

Synonyms

sheathing, overlayer

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
protective covering

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