Where does “overally” come from?

overally (English) comes from English overall, from Middle English overall, from Old English ofer eall.

overally (English): Misconstruction of overall

Definitions

  1. Misconstruction of overall

Ancestry of “overally”, step by step

overally traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English overall

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishoverallAll-encompassing, all around; Generally; with...
2Middle Englishoverall—
3Old Englishofer eall—

via English ly

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlyAbbreviation of light-year
2VietnameselyAlternative spelling of li
Every word from Old English ofer eall →
overally — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer