overspend
UK[ˌəʊvəˈspend]US[ˌoʊvərˈspend]
v
to spend more money than you can afford or more than was planned or allowed
v
to spend more than a particular amount of money
Morpheme Breakdown
over
spend
over
excessively
spend
expend money
Etymology
the word "overspend" is a transparent compound formed within english. the prefix "over," with its old english roots conveying excess, is attached to the verb "spend." "spend" itself entered old english from latin expendere, which literally meant "to weigh out," reflecting a time when currency was measured by weight. the combination logically creates a verb meaning to expend or pay out money beyond a limit, directly linking the ancient concept of measured payment with the modern notion of budgetary excess.
Analysis
Structure: over (excessively) + spend (expend money)
- over: of old english origin, meaning "above, beyond, excessively." functions as an intensifying or excessive prefix.
- spend: from old english spendan, borrowed from latin expendere ("to weigh out, pay out"). functions as the verbal root meaning to pay out money.
Examples
the government has been criticized for its tendency to overspend.
it's easy to overspend during the holiday season if you don't set a budget.
the project overspent by nearly twenty percent, causing significant financial strain.