Overtook

/ˌoʊvərˈtʊk/ verb

Definition

Passed someone or something while moving, or caught up and surpassed a competitor.

Etymology

From Old English 'overtacan,' combining 'over-' (beyond) + 'tac' (take or seize); by the 1300s it meant to catch up and pass.

Kelly Says

The word 'overtake' originally meant to seize by force, but softened into the competitive sense we use today—showing how violence gets safely channeled into sports and business.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.