Remarkably. In the form Oferlice, the word occurs in Wulfstan’s ‘Homilies,’ 11th c. (N.E.D.) It is found in Galt’s ‘Annals of the Parish,’ ch. x., &c.
1827. This has the look of an old country, though to my eye it seems not to be overly peopled.—J. F. Cooper, ‘The Prairie,’ i. 28. (N.E.D.)
1845. Away we went, merrily, merrily—but not overly rapid.—‘The Cincinnati Miscellany,’ ii. 197. (Italics in the original.)
1852. The poor woman, not being overly curious (a rather remarkable trait for one of her sex), took it for granted that a training day had come.—James Weir, ‘Simon Kenton,’ p. 99 (Phila.).
1878. He was not overly modest or shy, but to be the centre of all those eyes was abashing even to him; and, moreover, he was much bored with the whole matter.—Rose T. Cooke, ‘Cal Culver and the Devil,’ Harper’s Mag., lvii. 585/2 (Sept.).
