核心畫面

One way to hold overpower is to picture two forces pressing against each other, with one of them so much stronger that the other can no longer hold its ground. Whatever was holding on gives way: a person's arms, your own calm, a gentle flavour sitting in a dish. The over- part is the stronger side going straight past the line the weaker side could defend.

overpower 可以想成兩股力量互相頂著,其中一邊強到另一邊撐不住了。原本在撐的東西就這樣讓開——可能是一個人的更多收起overpower 可以想成兩股力量互相頂著,其中一邊強到另一邊撐不住了。原本在撐的東西就這樣讓開——可能是一個人的手臂,可能是你原本的鎮定,也可能是菜裡那點淡淡的香草味。over- 的部分就是那股力量直接越過對方守得住的那條線。

From the word’s history

Wiktionary's etymology tree gives over- (from Old English ofer-) plus power (through Middle English power, Old French pooir). The two parts read straight into the modern word: power that goes over what the other side can hold.

Wiktionary 的字源資料把這個字拆成 over-(古英語 ofer-)加上 power(經中古英語 power、古法語 pooir)。這兩塊拼起來剛好就是今天的意思:力量大到越過對方擋得住的範圍。

Wiktionary entry for overpower, etymology tree (kaikki:3f6f69a190036ae4:1057904454)

Two branches

力氣壓過人

這一支就是核心畫面最直接的樣子:兩個身體互相推,力氣大的贏。

verb · B2

To beat someone in a physical struggle and take control of their body, because you are stronger than they are or because there are more of you.

制伏

強度壓過弱的一方

同一個畫面,只是變強的那一邊不再是人的力氣,而是氣味、味道、聲音或情緒。

verb · B2

If a smell, a taste, or a strong feeling overpowers you, it hits you so strongly that you cannot push it away or think about anything else.

壓倒、使人受不了