overdefining

Verb

overdefine (third-person singular simple present overdefines, present participle overdefining, simple past and past participle overdefined)

1. (transitive) To define too rigidly, or in too much depth.
   • Most students want to overdefine every flower and leaf. In the assignment above, I spoke of “the essence of flowers.” If you overdefine and explain every petal, you will lose the sense of softness and mystery.2001, Charles Reid, Painting Flowers in Watercolor with Charles Reid