overlook

Etymology

From Middle English overloken; equivalent to over- + look.

noun

1. A vista or point that gives a beautiful view.
   Normally a visitor does not participate in one activity to the exclusion of others. One main activity, such as swimming, will be supplemented by other activities and use of other facilities, such as picnicking, hiking, stopping at an overlook, and so forth. 1980, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (N.R.A.), General Management Plan

verb

1. To offer a view (of something) from a higher position.
   Our hotel room overlooks the lake.
   Swinging sharply westwards, it emerges on to the Undercliff, overlooking the English Channel. St. Lawrence Station is very prettily situated, high cliffs on the left, and the lush vegetation of the Undercliff sloping down to the sea on the right. 1946 July and August, K. Westcott Jones, “Isle of Wight Central Railway—2”, in Railway Magazine, page 244
   […] she saw a figure standing by the rail of the balcony that overlooked the backyard. 1950, Nevil Shute, chapter 6, in A Town Like Alice, London: Heinemann, published 1952, page 188
2. To fail to notice; to look over and beyond (anything) without seeing it.
   These errors were overlooked by the proofreaders.
   Let not thy Garden be without this herbe Humilitie. It may be least respected with men; and among other herbs ouerlooked; but most acceptable to God. 1616, Thomas Adams, “Hysope and Humilitie”, in A Divine Herball, London: John Budge
   We are more apt to over-look in any subject, what is trivial, than what appears of considerable moment […] 1739, David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature, London: John Noon, Volume 2, Part 2, Section 2, p. 118
   The place had been already searched and emptied. In the bar I afterwards found some biscuits and sandwiches that had been overlooked. 1898, H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, Book 2, Chapter 7
3. To pretend not to have noticed (something, especially a mistake or flaw); to pass over (something) without censure or punishment.
   I’m not willing to overlook such bad behaviour.
   1615, Joseph Hall, Contemplations vpon the Principal Passages of the Holie Historie, London: Nathanael Butter and William Butler, Volume 3, “Ehud and Eglon,” p. 48, Euery circumstance is full of improbabilities: Faith euermore ouerlookes the difficulties of the way, & bends her eyes onely to the certainty of the end.
4. To look down upon from above or from a higher location.
   The hill overlooks the valley.
   “’Twas young Wilson and a fireman wi' a ladder,” said Margaret’s neighbour, a tall man who could overlook the crowd. 1848, Elizabeth Gaskell, chapter 5, in Mary Barton
   The way led sandily along the crest of a wooded amphitheatre, with less stress on the prospect waterward than might have been expected. Cope was not allowed, indeed, to overlook the vague horizon where, through the pine groves, the blue of sky and of sea blended into one; but, under Medora Phillips’ guidance, his eyes were mostly turned inland. 1919, Henry Blake Fuller, chapter 10, in Bertram Cope’s Year
5. (archaic) To supervise, oversee; to watch over.
   to overlook a gang of laborers
   to overlook one who is writing a letter
   Be careful in overlooking inferiour servants, that they waste nothing which belongs to your Master and Mistress. 1677, Hannah Woolley, The Compleat Servant-Maid, London: T. Passinger, page 63
   In overlooking the clergy of his diocese, which he thought the chief branch of the episcopal office, exciting in them a zeal for religion, and obliging them at least to a legal performance of their duty, he was uncommonly active, warm, and resolute. 1755, William Gilpin, The Life of Hugh Latimer, Bishop of Worcester, London: John & James Rivington, Section 4, p. 59
6. (archaic) To observe or watch (someone or something) surreptitiously or secretly.
   […] you had need cause the party whome you will drawe to sit […] without stirring or altering the mouth were it neuer so little: wherefore you shall I beleeue find (a mans face) aboue all other creaturs the most troublesome vnto you: for either they will smile, be ouerlooking your hand, or setting their countenances to seeme gratious and comely, giue you choyse of twentie seuerall faces. 1606, Henry Peacham, The Art of Drawing with the Pen, London: William Jones, Book 1, Chapter 7, p. 20
   1724, Aaron Hill, The Plain Dealer, No. 33, 13 July, 1724, The Plain Dealer, London: S. Richardson and A. Wilde, 1730, p. 269, I lean’d back in my Chair, and overlook’d what he was doing.—But, as if the young Rogue had had Eyes in his Elbows, he broke off what he had begun, and writ, thus, in a new Place.—If an impertinent Old Fellow, that sits by me, did not overlook what I am writing, I should have told you a pleasant Secret
   1839, J. Sheridan Le Fanu, “Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter” in The Watcher and Other Weird Stories, London: Downey, 1894, p. 133, The artist turned sharply round, and now for the first time became aware that his labours had been overlooked by a stranger.
7. (archaic) To inspect (something); to examine; to look over carefully or repeatedly.
   And therefore I trust thou vvylt accept it as it is, specially considering, that I neither had leysure, nor quietnesse at the dooing of it, neither after the dooing had euer any tyme to ouerlooke it, but vvas driuen to deliuer it to the Printer, as I fyrst vvrote it […] 1577, Barnabe Googe, Foure bookes of husbandry, collected by M. Conradus Heresbachius, London, The Epistle to the Reader
   Now when he had ouerlooked his armie ouer euerie side, he paused awhile, and after with a lowd voice and bold spirit spake to his companions these, or the like words following. 1587, Raphael Holinshed et al., “Richard the third”, in Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande, volume 3, page 757
   1602, Thomas Lodge (translator), The Famous and Memorable Workes of Iosephus, London: G. Bishop et al., Book 5, Chapter 2, p. 109, […] this was one of those spies which Moses sent to ouerlooke the land of Chanaan.
   1752, Arthur Murphy, The Gray’s Inn Journal No. 21, London: P. Vaillant, 1756, p. 138, As the Meanness of my Education had hindered me from knowing any Thing of Law Affairs, I got my two Companions to overlook the Mortgage Deed, and with their Advice signed it […]
8. (archaic) To look upon with an evil eye; to bewitch by looking upon; to fascinate.