OVERLAP (overlapped, overlapping)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: overlapped    , overlapping   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does overlap mean? 

• OVERLAP (noun)
  The noun OVERLAP has 3 senses:

1. a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena

2. the property of partial coincidence in time

3. a flap that lies over another part

  Familiarity information: OVERLAP used as a noun is uncommon.

• OVERLAP (verb)
  The verb OVERLAP has 2 senses:

1. coincide partially or wholly

2. extend over and cover a part of

  Familiarity information: OVERLAP used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OVERLAP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A representation of common ground between theories or phenomena

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

convergence; intersection; overlap

Context example:

there was no overlap between their proposals

Hypernyms ("overlap" is a kind of...):

internal representation; mental representation; representation (a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "overlap"):

crossroads (a point where a choice must be made)

interface (the overlap where two theories or phenomena affect each other or have links with each other)

Derivation:

overlap (coincide partially or wholly)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The property of partial coincidence in time

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("overlap" is a kind of...):

co-occurrence; coincidence; concurrence; conjunction (the temporal property of two things happening at the same time)

Derivation:

overlap (coincide partially or wholly)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A flap that lies over another part

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

lap; overlap

Context example:

the lap of the shingles should be at least ten inches

Hypernyms ("overlap" is a kind of...):

flap (any broad thin and limber covering attached at one edge; hangs loose or projects freely)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "overlap"):

cuff; turnup (the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg)

lapel (lap at the front of a coat; continuation of the coat collar)

lappet (a small lap on a garment or headdress)

Derivation:

overlap (extend over and cover a part of)

• OVERLAP (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they overlap    ... he / she / it overlaps   
Past simple: overlapped   
Past participle: overlapped   
-ing form: overlapping   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Coincide partially or wholly

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

Our vacations overlap

Hypernyms (to "overlap" is one way to...):

co-occur; coincide; cooccur (go with, fall together)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "overlap"):

share (have in common)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

overlap (the property of partial coincidence in time)

overlap (a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Extend over and cover a part of

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

The roofs of the houses overlap in this crowded city

Hypernyms (to "overlap" is one way to...):

continue; cover; extend (span an interval of distance, space or time)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "overlap"):

imbricate (overlap)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

overlap (a flap that lies over another part)

overlapping (covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (as with tiles or shingles))

 Context examples 

Branches of one nerve may cover a wide area and overlap the territories of other nerves.

(Free Nerve Ending, NCI Thesaurus)

In other words the sets of individuals of a given kind have no overlap with any other kind.

(Kind, NCI Thesaurus)

There is significant overlap regarding the usage of this term and ENCEPHALITIS in the literature.

(Encephalomyelitis, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

The shape of two circles joined together, and usually overlapping.

(Double Circle, NCI Thesaurus)

The 3-prime terminus of human ERCC1, a DNA repair gene, overlaps the 3-prime end of Antisense to ERCC-1 Gene.

(CD3-Epsilon-Associated Protein, NCI Thesaurus)

The eclipse falls so close to the Luckiest Day of the Year that it will pull Jupiter’s energy straight into the eclipse—so all those days will overlap with happy news.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

It is slightly overlapped at its margin by the ciliary processes.

(Lens, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

The signs and symptoms overlap with Alzheimer and Parkinson disease.

(Lewy Body Dementia, NCI Thesaurus)

NOTCH4 and NOTCH1 appear to have partially overlapping roles during embryogenesis in mice.

(Notch4 Protein, NCI Thesaurus)

As the youth withdrew in confusion, Sir William's keen eye singled out the five red roses from amid the overlapping shields and cloud of pennons which faced him.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)