overlay (redirected from Over-lay)

overlay

(1) A preprinted, precut form placed over a screen, key or tablet for identification purposes. See keyboard template.

(2) A program segment called into memory when required. When a program is larger than the memory capacity of the machine, parts of the program not in constant use can be set up as overlays. Each overlay called in overwrites the existing overlay in memory. Virtual memory provides for automatic overlays. See virtual memory.

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overlay

an applied decoration or layer, as of gold leaf

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overlay [′ō·vər‚lā]

(civil engineering)

A repair topping of asphalt or concrete placed on a worn roadway.

(computer science)

A technique for bringing routines into high-speed storage from some other form of storage during processing, so that several routines will occupy the same storage locations at different times; overlay is used when the total storage requirements for instructions exceed the available main storage.

(engineering)

Nonwoven fibrous mat (glass or other fiber) used as the top layer in a cloth or mat lay-up to give smooth finish to plastic products or to minimize the fibrous pattern on the surface. Also known as surfacing mat.

An ornamental covering, as of wood or metal.

(graphic arts)

A sheet attached to copy or artwork and containing special instructions about reproduction or arrangement.

A transparent or translucent film attached to artwork and carrying additional detail to be reproduced; in multicolor printing these overlays may represent the separation of the colors to be printed.