overflow

Everyday

1. To overflow means to flow over the edge because something is too full, like a bath. tree →
2. A place overflows when there are too many people or things to fit. tree →
3. An overflow is the water or things that spill over, or a pipe or hole that lets extra water out. tree →
4. Overflowing with a feeling means having a lot of it, like overflowing with joy. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday safety, never leave a running bath or sink, because it can overflow and flood the floor; most baths and sinks have an overflow hole. In science, overflow links to capacity and volume: a jug can only hold so much. In maths word problems, overflow means the amount above the capacity: if a 2-litre jug gets 3 litres, 1 litre overflows. Rivers overflow their banks in floods. In computing, overflow means a number too big to store.

Examples

• Turn the tap off before the bath overflows! tree →
• The river overflowed after days of heavy rain. tree →
• The bin was overflowing with rubbish. tree →
• The hall was so full the crowd overflowed into the corridor. tree →
• Water went down the overflow pipe. tree →
• If you pour 3 litres into a 2-litre jug, 1 litre will overflow. tree →
• Her heart was overflowing with happiness. tree →
• The car park was full, so we parked in the overflow car park. tree →
• Again the theatre was filled to overflowing, and again the Clown gave his imitation amidst the cheers of the crowd. tree →

Note

Past: «overflowed» (not «overflown», which is the past participle of «overfly», to fly over). For numbers: overflow amount = amount poured minus capacity (if it is more than 0). Stress: verb o-ver-FLOW, noun O-ver-flow.

In Jewish tradition

Proverbs promises that vats will overflow with new wine as a blessing for honoring God with one's wealth. Job's friends are said to be like brooks that overflow in winter and then fail in summer. Isaiah tells the land to overflow like the Nile.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the overflowing vats as the reward for giving first fruits to God. Job's brooks show friends who are false when they are needed.

Examples

• My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow, (Writings JOB.6.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine. (Writings PRO.3.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Overflow thy land as the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish! there is no girdle any more. (Prophets ISA.23.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past: «overflowed» (not «overflown», which is the past participle of «overfly», to fly over). For numbers: overflow amount = amount poured minus capacity (if it is more than 0). Stress: verb o-ver-FLOW, noun O-ver-flow.