overextension

English

Etymology

over- +‎ extension

Noun

overextension (countable and uncountable, plural overextensions)

  1. The state or quality of being overextended; extension beyond normal, correct, or appropriate bounds or limits.
    • 2009 February 13, David Brooks, “The Worst-Case Scenario”, in New York Times‎:
      Other nations sensed American overextension.
  2. (linguistics) Application of a term to too many referents, as for example when a child uses cat to refer to all animals.

Coordinate terms
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