disencumber

American  

[dis-en-kuhm-ber] / ˌdɪs ɛnˈkʌm bər /

verb (used with object)

1. to free from a burden or other encumbrance; disburden.

   Synonyms:

   unburden, disembarrass, disentangle

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disencumber British  

/ ˌdɪsɪnˈkʌmbə /

verb

1. (tr) to free from encumbrances

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Other Word Forms

• disencumberment
  noun

Etymology

Origin of disencumber

1590–1600; < Middle French desencombrer, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + encombrer to encumber

Explanation

To free someone from a burden or difficult situation is to disencumber them. You might try to disencumber yourself from the responsibility of walking the dog by bribing your sister to do it. Want to make your life less complicated or otherwise free yourself from some obstacle? You need to disencumber yourself. Things from which people disencumber themselves tend to be obligations, guilt, relationships, and other complexities of life. Disencumber comes from the verb encumber and its Latin source combrus, "barricade or obstacle."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

disencumber

Yang’s resignation from the boards of Alibaba and Yahoo Japan should disencumber negotiations around a potential deal for those assets, a positive for the stock.

From Forbes ● Jan. 18, 2012

He therefore very complacently and coolly began to disencumber himself of this detestable article of the tailor's skill.

From Nature and Human Nature by Haliburton, Thomas Chandler

It is not so easily persuaded to disencumber us.

From The Sea and the Jungle by Tomlinson, H. M. (Henry Major)

You think my shaving will cool and disencumber you?

From Romola by Eliot, George

He allowed Belisarius to disencumber himself of many useless consumers of food by sending the women, the children, and the slaves out of the City.

From Theodoric the Goth Barbarian Champion of Civilisation by Hodgkin, Thomas