overfret

English

Etymology

From over- +‎ fret. Compare Middle English overfreten, ovirfretyn (past participle).

Verb

overfret (third-person singular simple present overfrets, present participle overfretting, simple past overfretted or overfret or overfrate, past participle overfretted or (usually in compounds) overfretten)

1. (intransitive, reflexive) To fret excessively.
   • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Asking for an Invitation”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 23:

     "I believe it was," replied Lord Norbourne, kindly taking his companion's hand. "I have learnt to think of my loss with a sadness that soothes me. I turn to her image when overfretted with worldly cares. I hope almost as she hoped for our re-union."

   • 1851, Arthur Helps, Companions of my solitude, page 201:

     But now come down from your pedestal, and do not overfret yourself, because your hand, or your mind, or your soul, will not fulfil all that you would have it.