Dictionary definitions
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overdrive
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Overdrive \O`ver*drive"\, v. t. & i. To drive too hard, or far, or beyond strength. [1913 Webster] .
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
overdrive \o"ver*drive`\, n.
1. (Machinery) A gearing device which causes the drive shaft
of an automobile or other machine to rotate at a speed
greater than that of the engine crankshaft.
[PJC]
2. (Automotive) The gear setting of a motor vehicle at which
the overdrive[1] is operative; as, cruising at 80 mph in
overdrive.
[PJC]
3. Hence: [fig.] A state of unusually intense activity; as,
when they got their new supercomputer, their research
kicked into overdrive; one look at her made his heart jump
into overdrive; -- used mostly of the activities of
persons or groups.
[PJC]
