Definition of "overlook"
overlook
noun
plural overlooks
A vista or point that gives a beautiful view.
Quotations
Normally a visitor does not participate in one activity to the exclusion of others. One main activity, such as swimming, will be supplemented by other activities and use of other facilities, such as picnicking, hiking, stopping at an overlook, and so forth.
1980, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (N.R.A.), General Management Plan
verb
third-person singular simple present overlooks, present participle overlooking, simple past and past participle overlooked
To offer a view (of something) from a higher position.
Quotations
[…] 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.
1719 May 6 (Gregorian calendar), [Daniel Defoe], The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, […], 3rd edition, London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], published 1719, page 163
Swinging sharply westwards, it emerges on to the Undercliff, overlooking the English Channel. St. Lawrence Station is very prettily situated, high cliffs on the left, and the lush vegetation of the Undercliff sloping down to the sea on the right.
1946 July and August, K. Westcott Jones, “Isle of Wight Central Railway—2”, in Railway Magazine, page 244
To pretend not to have noticed (something, especially a mistake or flaw); to pass over (something) without censure or punishment.
Quotations
Euery circumstance is full of improbabilities: Faith euermore ouerlookes the difficulties of the way, & bends her eyes onely to the certainty of the end.
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
Tho’ Miss Bridget was a Woman of the greatest Delicacy of Taste; yet such were the Charms of the Captain’s Conversation, that she totally overlooked the Defects of his Person.
1749, Henry Fielding, chapter 11, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], book 1, page 41
“Mr. Elton’s manners are not perfect,” replied Emma; “but where there is a wish to please, one ought to overlook, and one does overlook a great deal.”
1815 December (indicated as 1816), [Jane Austen], chapter 13, in Emma: […], volumes (please specify |volume=I, II or III), London: […] [Charles Roworth and James Moyes] for John Murray
To look down upon from above or from a higher location.
Quotations
Off with his head, and set it on York gates;So York may overlook the town of York.
c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene iv]
The way led sandily along the crest of a wooded amphitheatre, with less stress on the prospect waterward than might have been expected. Cope was not allowed, indeed, to overlook the vague horizon where, through the pine groves, the blue of sky and of sea blended into one; but, under Medora Phillips’ guidance, his eyes were mostly turned inland.
1919, Henry Blake Fuller, chapter 10, in Bertram Cope’s Year
(archaic) To supervise, oversee; to watch over.
Quotations
Ganimede like a prettie Page waited on his Miſtreſſe Aliena, and ouerlookt that al was in a readineſſe againſt the Bridegroome ſhoulde come.
1590, T[homas] L[odge], “Sonnetto”, in Rosalynde. Euphues Golden Legacie: […], London: Imprinted by Thomas Orwin for T. G[ubbin] and John Busbie; republished , folio 60, recto, page 127
In overlooking the clergy of his diocese, which he thought the chief branch of the episcopal office, exciting in them a zeal for religion, and obliging them at least to a legal performance of their duty, he was uncommonly active, warm, and resolute.
1755, William Gilpin, The Life of Hugh Latimer, Bishop of Worcester, London: John & James Rivington, Section 4, p. 59
(archaic) To observe or watch (someone or something) surreptitiously or secretly.
Quotations
[…] 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.
1606, Henry Peacham, The Art of Drawing with the Pen, London: William Jones, Book 1, Chapter 7, p. 20
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—
1724, Aaron Hill, The Plain Dealer, No. 33, 13 July, 1724, The Plain Dealer, London: S. Richardson and A. Wilde, 1730, p. 269
(archaic) To inspect (something); to examine; to look over carefully or repeatedly.
Quotations
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 […]
1577, Barnabe Googe, Foure bookes of husbandry, collected by M. Conradus Heresbachius, London, The Epistle to the Reader
(archaic) To look upon with an evil eye; to bewitch by looking upon; to fascinate.
Quotations
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! […]
c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene ii]