Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • intransitive verb To boil over or unduly.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb To boil excessively.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb overflow or cause to overflow while boiling
  • verb boil excessively

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

over- +‎ boil

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Examples

  • "" There is not a cannibal in the South Sea Islands, '' he wrote, "" whose indignation would not arise and overboil at the recital of that which has been done, which has too late been examined, but which remains unavenged. ''

    Cheers And Jeers 2008

  • On occasion I have varied this by attempting to put the egg in the pot with a spoon, which breaks the egg faster, or putting the egg in the water pre boiling, which then means that I have no idea how long the egg has cooked, although I suppose you can't actually overboil an egg, or just scrambling the darn egg, which is the easier approach.

    Embarrassing confession time: mariness 2006

  • But this happens none the less with the birds of prey though they lay few eggs, for often one of the two becomes rotten, and the third practically always, for being of a hot nature they make the moisture in the eggs to overboil so to say.

    On the Generation of Animals 2002

  • "Don't overboil the water!" she said in a confidential whisper.

    The Cat Who Moved A Mountain Braun, Lilian Jackson 1992

  • "Nothing," says he, "next to flesh is more nourishing; but in this country we overboil them, and dispel their volatile salts: the water should boil before they are put in."

    Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie

  • If the water does not boil, or if it be allowed to overboil, the leaves of the tea will be only half-opened and the tea itself will be quite spoiled.

    The Whitehouse Cookbook (1887) The Whole Comprising a Comprehensive Cyclopedia of Information for the Home Mrs. F.L. Gillette

  • The disadvantage of this test lies in the fact that the jelly on the stove continues to boil while the test is being made, and as this takes several minutes, the jelly is likely to overboil to a considerable extent.

    Woman's Institute Library of Cookery Volume 5: Fruit and Fruit Desserts; Canning and Drying; Jelly Making, Preserving and Pickling; Confections; Beverages; the Planning of Meals

  • 'Ze treatment -- pardon me, sir, I overboil -- do you know which is ze

    The Pool in the Desert Sara Jeannette Duncan

  • Fanatics of despair turned hopeful eyes to Russia where a devilment was brewing which, should it overboil, would pour destruction across five continents.

    The Kingdom Round the Corner A Novel Coningsby Dawson 1921

  • -- Ipley crooned a ready accompaniment: the sleepers had been awakened: the women and the men were alive, half-dancing, half-chorusing here a baby was tossed, and there an old fellow's elbow worked mutely, expressive of the rollicking gaiety within him: the whole length of the booth was in a pleasing simmer, ready to overboil with shouts humane and cheerful, while

    Sandra Belloni — Volume 2 George Meredith 1868

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