overtopping

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əʊvəˈtɒpɪŋ/

overtopping

1. present participle and gerund of overtop

overtopping (countable and uncountable, plural overtoppings)

1. An instance of water going over the top of a barrier such as a sea wall or levee.
   • 2020 August 26, Andrew Mourant, “Reinforced against future flooding”, in Rail, page 60:

     Around 34 miles of the Wales Route's coastal lines are vulnerable to overtopping, coastal erosion and storm surges.

overtopping (comparative more overtopping, superlative most overtopping)

1. Surmounting, surpassing.
   • 1897, Henry James, What Maisie Knew:

     And he never said a word to her against her mother – he only remained dumb and discouraged in the face of her ladyship's own overtopping earnestness.