overlay

/'ouvəlei/

Thân thiện

The artisan carefully applies a gold leaf overlay to the wooden frame.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A covering or layer placed on top of something else: An "overlay" is a material or layer that is applied over a surface, often for decoration, protection, or to add information.
   • A transparent sheet with additional information: In design or cartography, an "overlay" can be a separate sheet placed over a map or diagram to show extra details.

2. Verb:

   • To cover or lie over the surface of something: The primary meaning is to place one thing on top of another, often to cover it.
   • To superimpose: In computing or graphics, to display one image or data set on top of another.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The table had a beautiful lace overlay. (A decorative layer was on the table.)
  • The map uses a plastic overlay to show population density. (A transparent sheet adds information to the map.)

• Verb:

  • She overlaid the wooden table with a glass top. (She covered the table with glass.)
  • The software allows you to overlay text on the video. (The software lets you place text on top of the video.)

Advanced Usage

• "to overlay something with something": to cover something with a layer of another material.
  • The craftsman overlaid the frame with gold leaf.
• Conceptual Overlay: Applying one set of ideas or characteristics onto another.
  • His analysis overlaid modern concepts onto the ancient text.

Variants and Related Words

• Overlying (adjective): Lying on or over something else.
  • The overlying strata of rock.
• Overlay as a past tense: An archaic or dialectal past tense of the verb "overlie," meaning to lie on top of and cause suffocation. (Note: The standard past tense of "overlie" is "overlay," but this is a distinct, less common usage.)
  • The historical text stated that the debris overlay the entrance.

Synonyms

• Noun: Covering, layer, veneer, sheet, blanket.
• Verb: Cover, coat, blanket, superimpose, laminate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Overlay" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The action is typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• No common idioms directly use "overlay." The word is typically used in its literal or technical senses.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a layer of decorative material (such as gold leaf or wood veneer) applied over a surface
2. protective covering consisting, for example, of a layer of boards applied to the studs and joists of a building to strengthen it and serve as a foundation for a weatherproof exterior

Verb

1. kill by lying on
   • The sow overlay her piglets
2. put something on top of something else
   • cover the meat with a lot of gravy

Từ đồng nghĩa

• sheathing
• overlayer
• overlie
• cover