overcome

Meanings

Verb

• To surmount (a physical or abstract obstacle); to prevail over, to get the better of.
• To recover from (a difficulty), to get over
• To win or prevail in some sort of battle, contest, etc.
• To come or pass over; to spread over.
• To overflow; to surcharge.

Noun

• The burden or recurring theme in a song.
• A surplus.

Origin

• From Middle English overcomen, from Old English ofercuman ("to overcome, subdue, compel, conquer, obtain, attain, reach, overtake"), corresponding to over- + come. Cognate with Dutch overkomen ("to overcome"), German überkommen ("to overcome"), Danish overkomme ("to overcome"), Swedish överkomma ("to overcome").