GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Overdrive (?), v. t. & i. To drive too hard, or far, or beyond strength.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
         
       

2.       
   overdrive (?), n.
   1. (Machinery) A gearing device which causes the drive shaft of an automobile or other machine to rotate at a speed greater than that of the engine crankshaft.
   
   [PJC]
   
   
   2. (Automotive) The gear setting of a motor vehicle at which the overdrive1 is operative; as, “cruising at 80 mph in overdrive”.
   
   [PJC]
   
   
   3. Hence: [fig.]  A state of unusually intense activity; as, “when they got their new supercomputer, their research kicked into overdrive; one look at her made his heart jump into overdrive”; -- used mostly of the activities of persons or groups.
   
   [PJC]