overflowen

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Old English oferflōwan; equivalent to over- +‎ flowen.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɔ̞ːvərˈflɔu̯ən/, /ɔvərˈflɔu̯ən/

Verb

overflowen

  1. To overflow; to cause flooding or immerse in water.
  2. (rare) To flow in profuse or excessive quantities.
  3. (rare) To exist in profuse or great quantities.

Usage notes

The simple past of this verb is usually weak, but the past participle shows a tendency to be strong (compare flowen, which is usually weak throughout)

Conjugation

Conjugation of overflowen (weak in -ed or strong class 7)
infinitive (to) overflowen, overflowe
present tense past tense
1st-person singular overflowe overflowed, overflew
2nd-person singular overflowest overflowedest, overflewe1
3rd-person singular overfloweth overflowed, overflew
subjunctive singular overflowe overflowed2, overflewe2
imperative singular
plural3 overflowen, overflowe overfloweden, overflowede, overflewen, overflewe
imperative plural overfloweth, overflowe
participles overflowynge, overflowende overflowed, overflowen, overflowe

1 Later replaced by the 1st-/3rd-person singular or overflewest.
2 Later replaced by the indicative.
3 Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.

Descendants

  • English: overflow

References