überhitztem

Überhitztem is a form of the German adjective überhitzt, meaning overheated. It is used in the dative singular to describe a noun in a context where temperature is higher than intended or safe. Examples include mit überhitztem Motor or bei überhitztem Wasser. As a grammatical form, overheat-related adjectives like this reflect German inflection patterns and appear in technical and everyday language.

In substance, overheated states describe a condition in which a system’s temperature exceeds its design limits or the boiling point of a substance, without immediate corrective action. In engineering and technology, Überhitzung can lead to component damage, reduced efficiency, or failure of cooling systems, bearings, seals, and electronic devices. In fluids, the related phenomenon of superheating can occur when a liquid is heated beyond its boiling point without nucleation, posing rupture or eruption risks when boiling eventually starts. The term is commonly used across industries such as automotive engineering, power generation, electronics, and industrial manufacturing.

The related noun Überhitzung denotes the process or condition of becoming overheated, while forms like überhitzte, überhitzter, or überhitztem appear across cases and genders depending on the noun they modify. The word originates from über- (over) and hitzen/hitzen (to heat), combining to describe a state of excessive thermal energy. In safety contexts, measures to prevent Überhitzung include adequate cooling, proper ventilation, thermal monitoring, and adherence to design specifications.