Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.
Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.
overlay
This term describes the act of layering one thing atop another, whether physically or digitally. In a physical sense, it implies a protective or decorative addition that does not replace the original surface but sits on top of it. In digital contexts, it refers to a non-destructive layer of data or graphics that enhances a base image or stream without altering the underlying source file.
When used as a verb, the word often carries a technical or precise connotation, frequently appearing in fields like graphic design, cartography, and engineering. It is distinct from "cover," which suggests hiding the original surface entirely, whereas "overlay" suggests a relationship where both the base and the top layer are conceptually present or relevant.
Meanings
A layer of material placed over a surface for protection, decoration, or reinforcement.
The technician applied a protective plastic overlay to the control panel.
A transparent sheet of film or a digital layer placed over a map or image to provide additional information.
A graphic element or window that appears on top of a primary video stream or user interface.
Examples
The student used a map overlay for geography.
The doctor used an image overlay to find the tumor.
We must overlay the strategic data onto the regional map.
The historian used a digital overlay to reconstruct the ruins.