overstrung
/'ouvə'strʌɳ/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Too tightly strung: Describes something, typically a stringed instrument or a bow, that has its strings adjusted to an excessively high tension.
- Being in a tense state: Describes a person who is excessively nervous, highly strung, or in a state of emotional strain.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- The piano sounded tinny and sharp because it was overstrung. (The instrument's strings were too tight.)
- After weeks of constant pressure at work, she felt completely overstrung and needed a vacation. (She was in a highly tense nervous state.)
- An overstrung tennis racket can increase power but also the risk of breaking a string. (The strings are too tightly strung.)
Advanced Usage
- Technical/Historical Use: In piano design, an "overstrung" scale refers to a layout where the strings are placed diagonally, crossing over one another, to allow for longer strings in a smaller case. This usage is related to, but distinct from, the primary meaning of excessive tension.
- The antique grand piano featured an overstrung design for richer bass tones.
Variants and Related Words
- Overstring (verb): To string something too tightly.
- Be careful not to overstring the violin.
- High-strung (adjective): Very nervous or easily upset. This is a close synonym for the "tense state" meaning.
- His high-strung personality made him anxious before the presentation.
Synonyms
- Taut: Stretched tightly.
- Tense: Nervous, anxious, or unable to relax.
- Edgy: Nervous, irritable, or anxious.
- Keyed up: In a state of nervous excitement or tension.
Antonyms
- Relaxed: Free from tension and anxiety.
- Loose: Not firmly or tightly fixed in place.
- Calm: Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.
- Slack: Not taut or held tightly in position.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To be wound up (too tight): To be very tense or nervous. This idiom is conceptually similar to being .
- He's been wound up too tight about this project for months.
- On edge: Nervous or anxious.
- The constant noise had everyone feeling on edge.
Adjective
-
too tightly strung
-
an overstrung archery bow
-
-
being in a tense state
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