overlay

¹

[oh-ver-ley, oh-ver-ley]

verb (used with object)

overlaid, overlaying 

1. to lay or place (one thing) over or upon another.

2. to cover, overspread, or surmount with something.

3. to finish with a layer or applied decoration of something.

   wood richly overlaid with gold.

4. Printing.,  to put an overlay upon.

noun

1. something laid over something else; covering.

2. a layer or decoration of something applied.

   an overlay of gold.

3. Printing.

   1. a shaped piece of paper, or a sheet of paper reinforced at the proper places by shaped pieces, put on the tympan of a press to increase or equalize the impression.

   2. a method of preparing copy for multicolor printing, in which matter for each color is prepared on a transparent sheet that is placed over a key plate, usually the one to be printed in black.

   3. the sheet or sheets so prepared.

4. a sheet of transparent paper placed over a photograph, a dummy, or other artwork for noting corrections, instructions, mechanical separations, etc.

5. Computers.,  software or data in external storage and brought into main storage for execution by replacing or augmenting software or data already there.

6. a transparent sheet giving special military information not ordinarily shown on maps, used by being placed over the map on which it is based.

7. a decorative piece of leather or other material stitched on a shoe.

8. Scot.,  a cravat.

overlay

²

[oh-ver-ley]

verb

1. simple past tense of overlie.

overlay

verb

1. to lay or place something over or upon (something else)

2. (often foll by with) to cover, overspread, or conceal (with)

3. (foll by with) to cover (a surface) with an applied decoration

   ebony overlaid with silver

4. to achieve the correct printing pressure all over (a forme or plate) by adding to the appropriate areas of the packing

noun

1. something that is laid over something else; covering

2. an applied decoration or layer, as of gold leaf

3. a transparent sheet giving extra details to a map or diagram over which it is designed to be placed

4. printing material, such as paper, used to overlay a forme or plate

Word History and Origins

Origin of overlay¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; over-, lay ¹

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Harrison, who has modeled in campaigns for J. Crew and Topshop, wore a bodice and trousers with a sheer overlay on top.

From Los Angeles Times

The text overlaid on the photo read, “I’m shooting up central I’m tired of getting picked on everyone is dying tomorrow.”

From Salon

Park rangers placed caution tape on the sign within Founder’s Grove and overlaid a heavy, waterproof sticker onto its surface to add facts and dates that were missing from the original timeline.

From Los Angeles Times

His flaming-eyed face is frontal, hers is overlaid in perfect profile.

From Los Angeles Times

That same year he reposted an image of himself wearing a Q lapel pin overlaid with the words “The Storm is Coming.”

From Salon

Related Words

• superimpose