O·ver·look v. t. [imp. & p. p. Overlooked p. pr. & vb. n. Overlooking.]
1. To look down upon from a place that is over or above; to look over or view from a higher position; to be situated above, so as to command a view of; as, to overlook a valley from a hill; a hotel room that overlooks the marketplace. “The pile o'erlooked the town.”
[Titan] with burning eye did hotly overlook them. --Shak.
2. Hence: To supervise; to watch over; sometimes, to observe secretly; as, to overlook a gang of laborers; to overlook one who is writing a letter.
3. To inspect; to examine; to look over carefully or repeatedly. “Overlook this pedigree.”
The time and care that are required
To overlook and file and polish well. --Roscommon.
4. To look upon with an evil eye; to bewitch by looking upon; to fascinate. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
If you trouble me I will overlook you, and then your pigs will die. --C. Kingsley.
5. To look over and beyond (anything) without seeing it; to miss or omit in looking; to fail to notice; to fail to observe; as, to overlook a mistake in addition; to overlook a missing bolt.
6. Hence: To refrain from bestowing notice or attention upon; to disregard or deliberately ignore; to pass over without censure or punishment; to excuse or pardon (a fault, error, or misdeed).
The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. --Acts xvii. 30 (Rev. Ver. )
They overlook truth in the judgments they pass. --Atterbury.
The pardoning and overlooking of faults. --Addison.
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overlooking
adj : used of a height or viewpoint; "a commanding view of the
ocean"; "looked up at the castle dominating the
countryside"; "the balcony overlooking the ballroom"
[syn: commanding, dominating]