overlap

[v. oh-ver-lap; n. oh-ver-lap] /v. ˌoʊ vərˈlæp; n. ˈoʊ vərˌlæp/
verb (used with object), overlapped, overlapping.
1.
to lap over (something else or each other); extend over and cover a part of; imbricate.
2.
to cover and extend beyond (something else):
The ends of cloth overlap the table.
3.
to coincide in part with; have in common with:
two lives that overlapped each other.
verb (used without object), overlapped, overlapping.
4.
to lap over:
two sales territories that overlap; fields of knowledge that overlap.
noun
5.
an act or instance of overlapping.
6.
the extent or amount of overlapping:
The second story of the building has an overlap of ten feet.
7.
an overlapping part.
8.
the place of overlapping.
9.
(in yacht racing) the position of two yachts side by side such that the overtaking boat, to pass the other on the opposite side, must fall back, or such that neither can turn toward the other without danger of collision.
Origin
1685-95; over- + lap2
Related forms
nonoverlapping, adjective, noun
Examples from the web for overlap
  • Where their ranges overlap, the two species are best identified by voice.
  • Realize that some of this will overlap with a face-to-face interview.
  • Good range of courses, but not as many in topics that directly overlap with my interests.
  • We found a significant overlap between the reasons why those students chose to take the course online and why they withdrew.
  • Often my interests and the interests of those in my field overlap, but there are times when they do not.
  • It demands a complexity in our thinking and politics about the overlap and conflict of social categories.
  • And a list of the corporate board of directors shows substantial overlap.
  • The overlap between the two companies is limited, and so are the opportunities for cost-cutting.
  • Because the loops are all different lengths, the loops overlap and mutate and swell, never repeating in the same way.
  • Where favorable conditions overlap, those options would be important.
British Dictionary definitions for overlap

overlap

verb (ˌəʊvəˈlæp) -laps, -lapping, -lapped
1.
(of two things) to extend or lie partly over (each other)
2.
to cover and extend beyond (something)
3.
(intransitive) to coincide partly in time, subject, etc
noun (ˈəʊvəˌlæp)
4.
a part that overlaps or is overlapped
5.
the amount, length, etc, overlapping
6.
the act or fact of overlapping
7.
a place of overlapping
8.
(geology) the horizontal extension of the upper beds in a series of rock strata beyond the lower beds, usually caused by submergence of the land
Word Origin and History for overlap
v.

"to partially extend over," 1726, over- + lap (v.). Related: Overlapped; overlapping.

n.

1813, from overlap (v.).

overlap in Medicine

overlap o·ver·lap (ō'vər-lāp')
n.

  1. A part or portion of a structure that extends or projects over another.

  2. The suturing of one layer of tissue above or under another layer to provide additional strength, often used in dental surgery.

v. o·ver·lapped, o·ver·lap·ping, o·ver·laps (ō'vər-lāp')

  1. To lie over and partly cover something.

  2. To perform a surgical overlap.