By, over, or across land rather than by sea; traveling across land.
Compound of 'over' (Old English 'ofer') and 'land' (Old English 'land'). The term became especially common during the era of exploration and trade routes, emphasizing travel across terrestrial routes.
Before airplanes, 'overland' was the adventurous route—it meant desert crossings, mountain passes, and risks that ocean voyages didn't have, making it a word full of peril.
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