overlie

[oh-ver-lahy]

overlie Definition

• 1. to lie over or upon, as a covering or stratum
• 2. to smother (an infant) by lying upon it, as in sleep.

Using overlie: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "overlie" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The soil is overlaid with rocks.

• Example

  The baby was accidentally overlain by its mother.

• Example

  The painting was overlaid with gold leaf.

overlie Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for overlie

• cover
• overlay
• overspread

Phrases with overlie

• overlie something/someone like a blanket

  to cover something or someone completely

  Example

  The snow lay thick on the ground, overlying everything like a blanket.

• overlie the truth

  to obscure or conceal the truth

  Example

  His lies overlaid the truth, making it difficult to discern what really happened.

• overlie a memory

  to be present in one's mind and affect one's thoughts or emotions

  Example

  The trauma of the accident still overlies her memories of that day.

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Summary: overlie in Brief

'Overlie' [oh-ver-lahy] means to cover or lie over something or someone, such as a covering or stratum. It can also refer to accidentally smothering an infant by lying upon it, as in sleep. Examples include 'The soil is overlaid with rocks.' and 'The painting was overlaid with gold leaf.' Phrases include 'overlie something/someone like a blanket,' 'overlie the truth,' and 'overlie a memory.'