OVERARCH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does overarch mean? 

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

1. be central or dominant

2. form an arch over

  Familiarity information: OVERARCH used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OVERARCH (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they overarch    ... he / she / it overarches   
Past simple: overarched   
Past participle: overarched   
-ing form: overarching   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Be central or dominant

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

This scene overarches the entire first act

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

dominate; predominate; prevail; reign; rule (be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Form an arch over

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

arch over; overarch

Context example:

Big rocks overarch the stream

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

 Context examples 

The overarching aim of this research is to position the EdisfO as a widely-used tool that facilitates the diagnosis of possible dysphagia—a quick, safe, and effective test to screen for this disorder.

(Scientists designed the first test to detect dysphagia, University of Granada)

Although one overarching conclusion of ocean acidification studies is that different species respond differently to elevated CO2 conditions, similar results have been reported in studies with different coral reef species.

(Fish larvae lose their way to safety in acidified oceans, SciDev.Net)

The completed activity within the context of a given study that is not directly related to the study's overarching hypothesis evaluation or testing, but is nonetheless essential to the efficient and/or effective coordination and execution of the study.

(Performed Administrative Activity, NCI Thesaurus)