encumber
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- incumber (archaic)
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English encombren, from Old French encombrer, from en- + combrer (“to hinder”); see cumber.
Pronunciation[edit]
Verb[edit]
encumber (third-person singular simple present encumbers, present participle encumbering, simple past and past participle encumbered)
- (transitive) To load down something with a burden.
- 1951 November, K. Westcott Jones, “Parkeston Quay and the Antwerp Continental Service”, in Railway Magazine, page 760:
- In the reverse direction, creature comforts were not closely studied, and the vessel left Antwerp at 1 p.m., to arrive in Harwich at the awkward hour of 2 a.m. The boat train was waiting for the weary stream of passengers, who straggled up George Street, encumbered with luggage, or following burdened porters in the darkness.
- (transitive) To restrict or block something with a hindrance or impediment.
- 1906 – 1921, John Galsworthy, “Encounter”, in The Forsyte Saga, volume 1:
- He [Timothy Forsyte] had never committed the imprudence of marrying or encumbering himself in any way with children.
- (transitive) To burden with a legal claim or other obligation.
Synonyms[edit]
- See also Thesaurus:hinder
Antonyms[edit]
Derived terms[edit]
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
to load down
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to restrict
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to burden with a legal claim
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Further reading[edit]
- “encumber”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “encumber”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “encumber”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms derived from Old French
- English 3-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- Rhymes:English/ʌmbə(ɹ)
- Rhymes:English/ʌmbə(ɹ)/3 syllables
- English terms with audio links
- English lemmas
- English verbs
- English transitive verbs
- English terms with quotations