overextension

Etymology

over- + extension

noun

  1. The state or quality of being overextended; extension beyond normal, correct, or appropriate bounds or limits.
    Other nations sensed American overextension. February 13, 2009, David Brooks, “The Worst-Case Scenario”, in New York Times
  2. (linguistics) Application of a term to too many referents, as for example when a child uses cat to refer to all animals.

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