cumber
[ kuhm-ber ]
/ ˈkʌm bər /
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verb (used with object)
to hinder; hamper.
to overload; burden.
to inconvenience; trouble.
noun
a hindrance.
something that cumbers.
Archaic. embarrassment; trouble.
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Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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Origin of cumber
1250–1300; Middle English cumbre (noun), cumbren (v.), aphetic variant of acumbren to harass, defeat; see encumber
OTHER WORDS FROM cumber
cum·ber·er, nouncum·ber·ment, nouno·ver·cum·ber, verb (used with object)un·cum·bered, adjectiveWords nearby cumber
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for cumber
British Dictionary definitions for cumber
cumber
/ (ˈkʌmbə) /
verb (tr)
to obstruct or hinder
obsolete to inconvenience
noun
a hindrance or burden
Derived forms of cumber
cumberer, nounWord Origin for cumber
C13: probably from Old French combrer to impede, prevent, from combre barrier; see encumber
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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