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.
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.
To put an overlay on.
A covering. Sir W. Scott.
A piece of paper pasted upon the tympan sheet to improve the impression by making it stronger at a particular place.
98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.