| / English Dictionary |
OVERFLOWING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Covered with water
Example:
an overflowing tub
Synonyms:
afloat; awash; flooded; inundated; overflowing
Classified under:
Similar:
full (containing as much or as many as is possible or normal)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb overflow
Context examples:
However, I must say, that Robert Martin's heart seemed for him, and to me, very overflowing; and that he did mention, without its being much to the purpose, that on quitting their box at Astley's, my brother took charge of Mrs. John Knightley and little John, and he followed with Miss Smith and Henry; and that at one time they were in such a crowd, as to make Miss Smith rather uneasy.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
But that is not your pity, Jane; it is not the feeling of which your whole face is full at this moment—with which your eyes are now almost overflowing—with which your heart is heaving—with which your hand is trembling in mine.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Tut, child! says my aunt; and gives her hand in overflowing cordiality to Traddles, who then gives his to Mr. Dick, who then gives his to me, who then gives mine to Traddles, and then we come to the church door.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
But Jo was mistaken, for Laurie came prancing in, overflowing with good spirits, bearing a great bridal-looking bouquet for 'Mrs. John Brooke', and evidently laboring under the delusion that the whole affair had been brought about by his excellent management.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Pardon this gush of sorrow; these ineffectual words are but a slight tribute to the unexampled worth of Henry, but they soothe my heart, overflowing with the anguish which his remembrance creates.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
“If any drop of gloom were wanting in the overflowing cup, which is now “commended” (in the language of an immortal Writer) to the lips of the undersigned, it would be found in the fact, that a friendly acceptance granted to the undersigned, by the before-mentioned Mr. Thomas Traddles, for the sum Of 23l 4s 9 1/2d is over due, and is NOT provided for.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The equipages are as varied as the company and attract as much attention, especially the low basket barouches in which ladies drive themselves, with a pair of dashing ponies, gay nets to keep their voluminous flounces from overflowing the diminutive vehicles, and little grooms on the perch behind.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Fancy me yielding and melting, as I am doing: human love rising like a freshly opened fountain in my mind and overflowing with sweet inundation all the field I have so carefully and with such labour prepared—so assiduously sown with the seeds of good intentions, of self-denying plans.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Tom drove slowly until we were beyond the bend—then his foot came down hard and the coupé raced along through the night. In a little while I heard a low husky sob and saw that the tears were overflowing down his face.
(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
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