Overthrow

Overthrow

Verb / Noun · /ˌəʊ.vəˈθrəʊ/ (verb), /ˈəʊ.vəˌθrəʊ/ (noun)

Definition

(Verb) to remove forcibly from power; to defeat and replace (a government, ruler, or institution) by force or popular action; to throw something over or past a target. (Noun) the forcible removal of a ruler or government from power; (cricket) a fielding error in which the ball is thrown past the target, allowing extra runs.

Origin

From over- (over, past, beyond) + throw (Old English þrāwan, to throw, to twist). Overthrow therefore meaning to throw over — to topple, to throw beyond the established position of power. The political sense — the overthrow of a government — being established from the fourteenth century, alongside the literal throwing-over sense. The cricket sense — an overthrow — being specific to the sport from the nineteenth century.