overcast

• Se dit d'un ciel entièrement couvert de nuages, souvent annonciateur d'un temps gris ou de pluie.

Describes a sky that is completely covered with clouds, often indicating that it is gloomy or likely to rain.

1. Cloudy skyA2formal

   Describes a sky that is completely covered with clouds, blocking the sun.

   Ciel couvert

   • The sky was overcast all morning, threatening rain.
   • We canceled the picnic because it was too overcast.
   • An overcast day can make the lighting feel soft and gray.

   Synonymescloudedcloudydrearygloomygreyleadenmurkysunless

   Antonymesbrightclearsunny

• Nom désignant l'état du ciel couvert de nuages, ou la pénombre morne qui en résulte. Peut aussi désigner un point de surjet long pour empêcher l'effilochage d'un tissu, ou un lancer qui dépasse la cible visée.

A noun referring to the state of the sky when it is covered by clouds, or a gloomy semidarkness caused by cloud cover. It can also refer to a long whipstitch or overhand stitch overlying an edge to prevent raveling, or a cast that falls beyond the intended spot.

1. Cloudy sky conditionB1formal

   The state of the sky when it is completely covered by clouds, blocking direct sunlight.

   Ciel couvert

   • The overcast made the afternoon feel like evening.
   • We canceled the picnic because of the heavy overcast.
   • The photographer waited for the overcast to clear for better lighting.

   Synonymescloud covercloudiness

   Antonymesclearsunny

2. Gloomy darknessB2formal

   A dim, shadowy condition caused by thick cloud cover, creating a somber atmosphere.

   Obscurité morne

   • The overcast cast a pall over the entire landscape.
   • They walked through the overcast of the dense forest.
   • The overcast of the storm made the city look eerie.

   Synonymesdarknessdimnessgloommurkshadowiness

   Antonymesbrightnessclearness

3. Sewing stitchC1formalart

   A long whipstitch or overhand stitch used to finish an edge and prevent fabric from fraying.

   Point de surjet

   • She used an overcast to secure the hem of the dress.
   • The tailor recommended an overcast stitch for the silk fabric.
   • Learning the overcast stitch is essential for beginners in sewing.

   Synonymesovercastingoverhand stitchwhipstitch

4. Fishing castC1informalsport

   A cast in fishing that lands beyond the intended target area.

   Coulée excessive en pêche

   • His overcast landed the lure in the reeds across the lake.
   • The fisherman corrected his overcast by adjusting the reel tension.
   • An overcast can sometimes scare away the fish.

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de couvrir quelque chose, surtout le ciel de nuages, ou en couture, de surjeter un bord pour empêcher qu'il ne s'effiloche.

A verb used to indicate the act of covering something, especially the sky with clouds, or in sewing, to stitch over an edge to prevent fraying.

verbe irrégulier

1. Make cloudy or darkB1formal

   To cover with clouds or darkness, making the sky gloomy.

   couvrir de nuages, assombrir

   • The storm overcast the sky in minutes.
   • Thick fog overcast the entire valley.
   • Dark clouds overcast the horizon before the rain.

   Synonymesbecloudblackenclouddarkendimobscureovercloudshadeshadow

   Antonymesbrightenclearilluminatelighten

2. Sew with long slanting stitchesC1formal

   To stitch over the raw edge of fabric with long, slanting stitches to prevent fraying.

   Surfiler

   • She overcast the edges of the dress to finish it neatly.
   • The tailor overcast the seams for durability.
   • He learned to overcast fabric in his sewing class.

   Synonymesoversewwhipwhipstitch

3. Sew with an overcast stitchC1formal

   To sew using an overcast stitch that connects one section to the next.

   surfiler

   • The pattern required her to overcast the pieces together.
   • He overcast the two panels with a matching thread.
   • The seamstress overcast the sections to create a smooth join.

   Synonymesoversewwhipwhipstitch