overstep

Meanings

1. To go too far beyond (a limit); especially, to cross boundaries or exceed norms or conventions.
2. To take a step in which the foot touches ground too far forward.
3. To move with a gait such that the hind foot touches the ground forward of the point where the front foot touches the ground.

1. A gait in which the hind foot touches ground in front of where the front foot touches the ground.
2. A movement in which one oversteps.
3. A decision or action that goes too far.

Etymology

From Middle English *oversteppen, from Old English ofersteppan, from Proto-Germanic *uberstapjaną (“to step over; overstep”), equivalent to over- + step. Cognate with Dutch overstappen, German Low German överstappen, German überstapfen, überstepfen.