Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In mech.:
  • Applied to an arrangement of driving mechanism such that the power is applied above the place where the work is done.
  • Said of a machine or plant which is driven at a speed or power beyond that which is normal or suitable to the design.

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

  • adjective Driven too hard; exhausted
  • adjective music Characteristic of overdrive

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

over- +‎ driven

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Examples

  • Brötzmann and Chicago-based percussionist Hamid Drake began working together in 1992 at the suggestion of bassist William Parker; though a significant number of the reedman's drum partners over the years have been rather fractured or "overdriven" in approach, Drake's pedigree includes reggae and work with the Mandingo Griot Society of Senegalese drummer Foday Musa Suso.

    Austinist CliffordAllen 2010

  • Configure PulseAudio to ignore your sound driver's misreported dB information if you experience "overdriven" sound.

    Planet Ubuntu 2009

  • Stabilization) worksite, the crew continued troubleshooting the critical exercise device, for which ground analysis of yesterday's downlinked audio / video data has diagnosed the extra noise as the TVIS stabilizers being "overdriven" (i.e., impacting top and bottom of the stabilizers with their throw masses).

    SpaceRef Top Stories 2009

  • Rhode Island duo Lightning Bolt drummer Brian Chippendale and bassist Brian Gibson has answered that question, emphasizing the low-end thunder for more than 15 years now, stirring up such a dervish of overdriven sound that there's simply no room for anything else.

    Many Ways to Make a Joyful Noise Andy Beta 2011

  • But while Gerard Butler managed to inject a little bit of sympathy into his unbelievable character, Jamie Foxx fails to provide the least amount of likability as an overdriven and overambitious prosecutor.

    Rabid Rewind: Law Abiding Citizen 2010

  • While previous albums reveled in barebones production, sexual tension and the smallest of musical gestures, Ms. Mosshart's Dead Whether stint has lent her voice added gravitas and confidence here, while Mr. Hince has stepped up the overdriven sounds around it.

    Killing Us Softly With Song Andy Beta 2011

  • There are all these new books out there portraying Asian mothers as scheming, callous, overdriven people indifferent to their kids' true interests.

    Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior Amy Chua 2011

  • While some say that she meant to be ironic and self-mocking, about her endorsement of the "Asian mother as scheming, callous, overdriven and indifferent to their kid's true interests," many aren't laughing.

    Jane Shure: Why You Shouldn't Follow Amy Chua's Parenting Advice Jane Shure 2011

  • But the band's signature sound - Pam Berry's ethereal melodies floating over a crashing wall of overdriven guitars and feedback - is still cited by such groups as the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Vivian Girls and other acclaimed up-and-comers who were just kids when Black Tambourine was active.

    Nightlife Agenda: Titus Andronicus, Black Tambourine, 88-Keys Fritz Hahn 2010

  • The scream of the savagely overdriven radite engine rocked the metal bubble jerkily downward.

    "The Morons" by Harl Vincent, part 1 Johnny Pez 2010

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