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encumber
[ en-kuhm-ber ]
/ ɛnˈkʌm bər /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object)
to impede or hinder; hamper: 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.
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Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
Sometimes in·cum·ber [in-kuhm-ber] /ɪnˈkʌm bər/ .
Origin of encumber
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English encombren, encombre, encomber, from Anglo-French, Middle French encombrer, equivalent to en- prefix + -combrer, verbal derivative of combre “dam, weir,” from early Medieval Latin combrus, from Gaulish comberos (unrecorded) “confluence, bringing together” (compare Quimper, in Brittany, from Breton Kemper ); see en-1, com-, bear1
OTHER WORDS FROM encumber
en·cum·ber·ing·ly, adverbun·en·cum·bered, adjectiveWords nearby encumber
encrustation, encrypt, encryption, enculturate, enculturation, encumber, encumbrance, encumbrancer, -ency, encyclical, encyclopedia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use encumber in a sentence
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 of encumber
encumberingly or incumberingly, adverbWord 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
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