# overtake, overtook

## Definition

The term "overtake" gaining control over someone or something. It usually includes the idea of catching up to something after pursuing it.

* The term "overtook" expresses a past action.
* When military troops "overtake" an enemy, it means they defeat that enemy in battle.
* When a predator overtakes its prey, it means that it pursues and catches its prey.
* If a curse "overtakes" someone, it means that whatever was said in that curse will happen to the person 
* Depending on the context, "overtake" could be translated as "conquer" or "capture" or "defeat" or "catch up to."
* The past action, "overtook" could be translated as "conquered" or "defeated" or "caught up to" or "came alongside of."