overlook

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A vista or point that gives a view down toward something else.

2. 2

   To offer a view (of something) from a higher position.

   • Our hotel room overlooks the lake.
   • […] I took my Gun, and went on Shore, climbing up upon a Hill, which seem’d to over-look that Point, where I saw the full Extent of it, and resolv’d to venture.
3. 3

   To fail to notice

   To fail to notice; to look over and beyond (anything) without seeing it.

   • These errors were overlooked by the proofreaders.
   • Let not thy Garden be without this herbe Humilitie. It may be least respected with men; and among other herbs ouerlooked; but most acceptable to God.
   • We are more apt to over-look in any subject, what is trivial, than what appears of considerable moment […]
4. ›+ 6 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To pretend not to have noticed (something, especially a mistake or flaw)

      To pretend not to have noticed (something, especially a mistake or flaw); to pass over (something) without censure or punishment.

      • I’m not willing to overlook such bad behaviour.
      • Tho’ Miss Bridget was a Woman of the greatest Delicacy of Taste; yet such were the Charms of the Captain’s Conversation, that she totally overlooked the Defects of his Person.
   2. 5

      To look down upon from above or from a higher location.

      • The hill overlooks the valley.
      • There was not farre fro thence About the middle of the Laund a rising ground, from whence A man might ouerlooke the fieldes.
      • Off with his head, and set it on York gates; So York may overlook the town of York.
   3. 6

      To supervise, oversee

      To supervise, oversee; to watch over.

      • to overlook a gang of laborers
      • to overlook one who is writing a letter
      • Ganimede like a prettie Page waited on his Miſtreſſe Aliena, and ouerlookt that al was in a readineſſe againſt the Bridegroome ſhoulde come.
   4. 7

      To observe or watch (someone or something) surreptitiously or secretly.

   5. 8

      To inspect (something)

      To inspect (something); to examine; to look over carefully or repeatedly.

      • Now when he had ouerlooked his armie ouer euerie side, he paused awhile, and after with a lowd voice and bold spirit spake to his companions these, or the like words following.
      • 1602, Thomas Lodge (translator), The Famous and Memorable Workes of Iosephus, London: G. Bishop et al., Book 5, Chapter 2, p. 109, […] this was one of those spies which Moses sent to ouerlooke the land of Chanaan.
   6. 9

      To look upon with an evil eye

      To look upon with an evil eye; to bewitch by looking upon; to fascinate.

      • Portia: […]Beshrew your eyes, They have o'erlook'd me and divided me; One half of me is yours, the other half yours,— Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours, And so all yours![…]

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