DictionaryRoot: ofer
Old English
ofer
over, above, or beyond
Forms
- ofer
- over — The consonant and spelling developed into the modern form.
Origin
An inherited Germanic relationship word, related to Latin super.
Note
Position above can extend to control or excess.
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adverb
overboard
OH-ver-bord/ˈəʊvərbɔːrd/
Over the side of a boat into the water.
Etymology
With bord meaning a ship's side, the compound literally describes going over that side. The boundary crossed is the edge of the vessel, giving the sense of leaving the boat and entering the water.