Definition of Overcompensation

1. Noun. (psychiatry) an attempt to overcome a real or imagined defect or unwanted trait by overly exaggerating its opposite.

Category relationships: Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, Psychopathology
Generic synonyms: Compensation
Derivative terms: Overcompensate

2. Noun. Excessive compensation.
Generic synonyms: Compensation

Definition of Overcompensation

1. Noun. An excess amount provided in one area in an effort to overcome a perceived lack in another area. ¹

2. Noun. Excessive pay or reward provided for work performed. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Overcompensation

1. 1. An exaggeration of personal capacity by which one overcomes a real or imagined inferiority. 2. The process in which a psychologic deficiency inspires exaggerated correction. See: compensation. (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Overcompensation

overcommit
overcommitment
overcommitments
overcommits
overcommitted
overcommitting
overcommunicate
overcommunicated
overcommunicates
overcommunicating
overcommunication
overcompensate
overcompensated
overcompensates
overcompensating
overcompensation (current term)
overcompensations
overcompensatory
overcompetitive
overcompetitiveness
overcomplacency
overcomplete
overcompleteness
overcomplex
overcomplexities
overcomplexity
overcompliance
overcompliances
overcomplicate
overcomplicated

Literary usage of Overcompensation

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Theory and Calculations of Electrical Apparatus by Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1917)
"In the conductively compensated motor, this can be avoided by overcompensation, that is, raising the flat top of the compensating mmf to the maximum ..."

2. The Ftc Cigarette Test Method for Determining Tar, Nicotine & Carbon edited by Donald R. Shopland (1997)
"BOCK: You made a distinction just now and said "overcompensation." Is that what you intend to imply? DR. BENOWITZ: Yes. DR. ..."

3. Scientific papers of the Bureau of Standards by United States National Bureau of Standards (1909)
"In raising the induction at the end of the bar up to that at the middle section a large overcompensation occurs at the yoke. This overcompensation passes ..."

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