overfret

English

Etymology

From over- +‎ fret. Compare Middle English overfreten, ovirfretyn (past participle).

Verb

overfret (third-person singular simple present overfrets, present participle overfretting, simple past overfretted or overfret or overfrate, past participle overfretted or overfret or overfrate or (usually in compounds) overfretten)

  1. (intransitive, reflexive) To fret excessively.
    • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Asking for an Invitation”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 23:
      "I believe it was," replied Lord Norbourne, kindly taking his companion's hand. "I have learnt to think of my loss with a sadness that soothes me. I turn to her image when overfretted with worldly cares. I hope almost as she hoped for our re-union."
    • 1851, Arthur Helps, Companions of my solitude, page 201:
      But now come down from your pedestal, and do not overfret yourself, because your hand, or your mind, or your soul, will not fulfil all that you would have it.
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