definitions

encumber

[ en-kuhm-ber ]
/ ɛnˈkʌm bər /
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verb (used with object)

to impede or hinder; hamper; retard: Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action.
to block up or fill with what is obstructive or superfluous: a mind encumbered with trivial and useless information.
to burden or weigh down: She was encumbered with a suitcase and several packages.
to burden with obligations, debt, etc.

RELATED WORDS

overburden, obstruct, load, cramp, clog, weight, tax, hamper, overload, charge, lade, handicap, inconvenience, incommode, embarrass, hog-tie, retard, saddle, trammel, discommode

Nearby words

encrusted, encrypt, encryption, enculturate, enculturation, encumber, encumbrance, encumbrancer, ency., encyclical, encyclopedia
Also incumber.

Origin of encumber

1300–50; Middle English encombren < Anglo-French, Middle French encombrer, equivalent to en- en-1 + -combrer, verbal derivative of combre dam, weir < early Medieval Latin combrus < Gaulish *comberos confluence, bringing together (compare Quimper, in Brittany < Breton Kemper); see com-, bear1

Related forms

en·cum·ber·ing·ly, adverbun·en·cum·bered, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for encumber

British Dictionary definitions for encumber

encumber

incumber

/ (ɪnˈkʌmbə) /

verb (tr)

to hinder or impede; make difficult; hamperencumbered with parcels after going shopping at Christmas; his stupidity encumbers his efforts to learn
to fill with superfluous or useless matter
to burden with debts, obligations, etc

Derived Forms

encumberingly or incumberingly, adverb

Word Origin for encumber

C14: from Old French encombrer, from en- 1 + combre a barrier, from Late Latin combrus, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012