overbalance
UK/əʊvə'bæl(ə)ns/US/.әuvә'bælәns/
TOEFLC2
Definitions
v.
To lose balance and fall over, or to make something do so, by putting too much weight on one side.
（使）因一侧过重而倾翻、跌倒
v.
To outweigh; to be greater in weight or importance than something else.
（在重量或重要性上）超过，压过
n.
An excess of weight or value on one side.
超重，超额
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedover-excessively, above
+
balancebar, barrier; ban, prohibition
=overbalance
over- (excessively) + balance = to put too much on one pan. Pile on more than the other side can match and the scale tips right over — so overbalance means to topple, or (transitively) to outweigh. More common in British English than American.
Example Sentences
- 1.
He leaned too far back and overbalanced, tumbling off the stool.
- 2.
The advantages of the plan overbalance its small risks.
- 3.
Putting all the books on one shelf overbalanced the cabinet.