overlengthen

verb

over·​length·​en ˌō-vər-ˈleŋ(k)-thən 

-ˈlen(t)-

overlengthened; overlengthening

transitive + intransitive

: to lengthen (something, such as a body part) too much

Several yoga stretches involve twisting at the knee, or lying back on folded, twisted knees, which forcibly overlengthens the collateral ligament …

—Jolie Bookspan

If the muscle overlengthens, … a stretch reflex will occur, thereby contracting the muscle.

—Mark Ansell

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above