overheated
UK: ˌəʊvəˈhiːtɪd | US: ˌoʊvərˈhiːtɪd
adj. 1. heated to an excessive degree
adj. 2. (of a situation or emotion) excessively intense or agitated
v. past tense/past participle of "overheat": to make or become too hot
The word "overheated" combines "over-" (Old English "ofer," meaning "excessive") with "heat" (Old English "hǣtu," from Proto-Germanic *haitīz) and the past participle suffix "-ed." The morpheme "over-" intensifies the root "heat," originally denoting warmth but later extending metaphorically to emotional or situational intensity. The suffix "-ed" marks the word as a verb form or adjective. This structure reflects a logical progression from literal overheating (e.g., engines) to figurative use (e.g., debates).
The engine overheated after climbing the steep hill.
Investors grew cautious as the stock market became overheated.
Her overheated argument made compromise impossible.
Avoid leaving electronics in overheated cars.
The politician’s overheated rhetoric alarmed moderates.