Overpressing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The action of applying more pressure than is needed, often leading to negative consequences
2. A situation in which excessive force is used, potentially resulting in malfunction or injury
3. The act of exerting force beyond the necessary amount, which may cause damage or failure

Etymology: "Overpressing" is the present participle and gerund of "overpress", a verb formed from the prefix "over-" and the verb "press". The prefix carries its familiar sense of going beyond a proper limit, so the verb means to press too far, applying more pressure than a task or object can bear. "Press" itself comes from Latin "premere", meaning to push down or squeeze, and reached English through Old French, so the new verb combines an ancient physical idea of squeezing with a plainly English prefix. Because "over-" can attach to nearly any verb in English, the formation is simple and transparent. Its meaning follows directly from its parts: "overpress" is the excess version of pressing, and "overpressing" names the act of doing it, which is why the sense carries the idea of damage or failure that comes from going past what is needed.

Synonyms: overexertion, overcompression