Definition of "overspread"

overspread

/əʊvəˈspɹɛd/

verb
third-person singular simple present overspreads, present participle overspreading, simple past and past participle overspread
1. (transitive) To spread over or across (something); cover over; be scattered over; permeate, overrun.
  Quotations
  those nations of the North which overspread the world
  1612, Michael Drayton, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [John Selden], editor, Poly-Olbion. Or A Chorographicall Description of Tracts, Riuers, Mountaines, Forests, and Other Parts of this Renowned Isle of Great Britaine, […], London: […] H[umphrey] L[ownes] for Mathew Lownes; I. Browne; I. Helme; I. Busbie, published 1613
  Lady Bellaston fixed her eyes on Sophia whilst she spoke these words. To which that poor young lady, having her face overspread with blushes and confusion, answered, in a stammering voice […]
  1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […]
  So thick a haze o’erspreads the sky,They cannot see the sun on high:The wind hath blown a gale all day;At evening it hath died away.
  1802, Robert Southey, The Inchcape Rock‎
  Deliberately, and with a peculiar quivering smile, that seemed to overspread her whole body, she put her mouth on his.Penguin 2006, p. 289
  1913, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, Sons and Lovers, London: Duckworth & Co. […]
2. (intransitive) To be spread or scattered about.