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Overlap vs Similarity - What's the difference?

overlap | similarity |

As nouns the difference between overlap and similarity

is that overlap is something that overlaps or is overlapped while similarity is closeness of appearance to something else.

As a verb overlap

is to extend over and partly cover something.

overlap

Verb

(overlapp) (intransitive)
  • To extend over and partly cover something.
  • the mousemat overlapped the edge of the desk
  • To have an area, range, character or function in common.
  • The two maps overlapped at the east and west edges
  • * '>citation
  • Memento unfolds over 22 scenes—or, more accurately, 22 strands of time, the main strand (in color) moving backward in increments, and another strand (in black and white) going forward, though the two overlap profoundly.
  • (mathematics) Used of sets that have some elements in common.
  • The set (all men) overlaps the set (vegetarians)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something that overlaps or is overlapped
  • (rugby) a situation in the game where an attacking line has more players in it than the defensive line coming to meet it. The attacking side may exploit the overlap'' by using their superior numbers to break the opposition's defensive line. If attackers outnumber defenders by more than one player this is often termed a ''two man overlap'' or ''three man overlap'', etc. If the attacking side fails to break through usually due to poor execution, they are said to ''waste an overlap .
  • similarity

    English

    Noun

    (similarities)
  • Closeness of appearance to something else.
  • (philosophy) The relation of sharing properties.
  • Hardly is there a similarity detected between two or three facts, than men hasten to extend it to all. — Sir W. Hamilton.

    Synonyms

    * resemblance

    See also

    * similitude * likeness * alikeness