disencumber
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing disencumber
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
The first step was to disencumber her decks of the long range of upper cabins, thus materially increasing her buoyancy as a sea-boat, and diminishing the area exposed to the enemy's shot and shell.
From The Cruise of the Alabama and the Sumter by Raphael Semmes
Whoever wishes to travel should first strive to disencumber himself of what is artificial, and then he will get on capitally.
From A Visit to the Holy Land, Egypt, and Italy by H. W. (Henry William) Dulcken
You had better disencumber yourselves of the fatal gift of empire than that the present generation should be punished for the sins of the past.
From Speeches on Questions of Public Policy, Volume 1 by John Bright
Also he would only sell or let it with the furniture; he wished, in short, to disencumber himself of his purchase, and without loss.
From News from the Duchy by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
