Category:Overlay

O`ver*lay", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Overlaid; p. pr. & vb. n. Overlaying.]

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. (printing)

Defn: to put an overlay on.

Overlay O"ver*lay`, n.

1. A covering. Sir w. Scott.

2. (printing)

Defn: a piece of paper pasted upon the tympan sheet to improve the Impression by making it stronger at a particular place.