overstep

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To go too far beyond (a limit)

   To go too far beyond (a limit); especially, to cross boundaries or exceed norms or conventions.

   • That color scheme really oversteps the bounds of good taste.
   • As a result, there was a gain of 3½ min. from Goraghwood to Dundalk, which we reached 2 min. early. Nevertheless, the customs officials succeeded in overstepping their 13-min. time allowance, and we left 1 min. late.
2. 2

   To take a step in which the foot touches ground too far forward.

   • As an instance of this inability to control the muscles well, may be cited the almost constant tendency to understep or overstep especially with the fore legs.
   • If a sense of feeling gave him some knowledge of the width of the steps the fact that the third step was ⅝ of an inch wider could not cause him to overstep, but if it had any effect it would tend to cause him to understep.
3. 3

   To move with a gait such that the hind foot touches the ground forward of the point where…

   To move with a gait such that the hind foot touches the ground forward of the point where the front foot touches the ground.

   • For quotations using this term, see Citations:overstep.
4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A gait in which the hind foot touches ground in front of where the front foot touches the…

      A gait in which the hind foot touches ground in front of where the front foot touches the ground.

      • A few animals, such as bison, commonly use an understep walk, while several species, including black bears, cougars and pronghorn regularly use an overstep walk.
   2. 5

      A movement in which one oversteps.

   3. 6

      A decision or action that goes too far.

      • […] an overstep of their legal bounds as an organization of any kind, and a violation of your civil rights.

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