cumber

[kuhm-ber]

verb (used with object)

1. to hinder; hamper.

2. to overload; burden.

3. to inconvenience; trouble.

noun

1. a hindrance.

2. something that cumbers.

3. Archaic.,  embarrassment; trouble.

cumber

/ ˈkʌmbə /

verb

1. to obstruct or hinder

2. obsolete,  to inconvenience

noun

1. a hindrance or burden

Other Word Forms

• cumberer noun
• cumberment noun
• overcumber verb (used with object)
• uncumbered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumber¹

1250–1300; Middle English cumbre (noun), cumbren (v.), aphetic variant of acumbren to harass, defeat; encumber

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumber¹

C13: probably from Old French combrer to impede, prevent, from combre barrier; see _encumber

Example Sentences

It made him feel cumbered and foolish, and he wondered once more why he was here.

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Within these modest limits we have brought the greater part of that monstrous host of crosses which cumber the dictionaries.

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In every day of his life he was occupied with many things, but he was never cumbered.

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None but the dead and wounded cumbered the decks.

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The space was so narrow along which the enemy had advanced, that the dead literally cumbered the field.

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