Word: overlook Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English overloken; equivalent to over- + look. Pronunciation: /ˈəʊ.vəˌlʊk/, /ˈoʊ.vɚˌlʊk/, /ˈo.vəɹ.lʉk/, /ˌəʊ.vəˈlʊk/, /ˌoʊ.vɚˈlʊk/ 1. To offer a view (of something) from a higher position. Example: Our hotel room overlooks the lake. Example: […] I took my Gun, and went on Shore, climbing up upon a Hill, which seem’d to over-look that Point, where I saw the full Extent of it, and resolv’d to venture. 2. To fail to notice; to look over and beyond (anything) without seeing it. Example: These errors were overlooked by the proofreaders. Example: Let not thy Garden be without this herbe Humilitie. It may be least respected with men; and among other herbs ouerlooked; but most acceptable to God. 3. To pretend not to have noticed (something, especially a mistake or flaw); to pass over (something) without censure or punishment. Example: I’m not willing to overlook such bad behaviour. Example: 1615, Joseph Hall, Contemplations vpon the Principal Passages of the Holie Historie, London: Nathanael Butter and William Butler, Volume 3, “Ehud and Eglon,” p. 48, Euery circumstance is full of improbabilities: Faith euermore ouerlookes the difficulties of the way, & bends her eyes onely to the certainty of the end. 4. To look down upon from above or from a higher location. Example: The hill overlooks the valley. Example: There was not farre fro thence About the middle of the Laund a rising ground, from whence A man might ouerlooke the fieldes. 5. To supervise, oversee; to watch over. Labels: archaic Example: to overlook a gang of laborers Example: to overlook one who is writing a letter 6. To observe or watch (someone or something) surreptitiously or secretly. Labels: archaic Example: […] you had need cause the party whome you will drawe to sit […] without stirring or altering the mouth were it neuer so little: wherefore you shall I beleeue find (a mans face) aboue all other creaturs the most troublesome vnto you: for either they will smile, be ouerlooking your hand, or setting their countenances to seeme gratious and comely, giue you choyse of twentie seuerall faces. Example: 1724, Aaron Hill, The Plain Dealer, No. 33, 13 July, 1724, The Plain Dealer, London: S. Richardson and A. Wilde, 1730, p. 269, I lean’d back in my Chair, and overlook’d what he was doing.—But, as if the young Rogue had had Eyes in his Elbows, he broke off what he had begun, and writ, thus, in a new Place.—If an impertinent Old Fellow, that sits by me, did not overlook what I am writing, I should have told you a pleasant Secret 7. To inspect (something); to examine; to look over carefully or repeatedly. Labels: archaic Example: And therefore I trust thou vvylt accept it as it is, specially considering, that I neither had leysure, nor quietnesse at the dooing of it, neither after the dooing had euer any tyme to ouerlooke it, but vvas driuen to deliuer it to the Printer, as I fyrst vvrote it […] Example: Now when he had ouerlooked his armie ouer euerie side, he paused awhile, and after with a lowd voice and bold spirit spake to his companions these, or the like words following. 8. To look upon with an evil eye; to bewitch by looking upon; to fascinate. Labels: archaic Example: Portia: […]Beshrew your eyes, They have o'erlook'd me and divided me; One half of me is yours, the other half yours,— Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours, And so all yours![…]