hamper1
- to hold back; hinder; impede: A steady rain hampered the progress of the work.
- to interfere with; curtail: The dancers' movements were hampered by their elaborate costumes.
- Nautical. gear that, although necessary to the operations of a vessel, is sometimes in the way.
Origin of hamper1
Synonyms
See more synonyms for hamper on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
Antonyms
hamper2
- a large basket or wickerwork receptacle, usually with a cover: picnic hamper; clothes hamper.
- British. such a basket together with its contents, especially food.
Origin of hamper2
Examples from the Web for hamper
Contemporary Examples
If Gentleman's Quarterly comes by for a photo spread, Palmer won't have to put a single sock in a hamper.
My daughter asleep, and her T-shirt in the hamper, my wife, I call her MZ, wanted a word.
Another factor that might hamper the investigation is the transient nature of the homeless population.
Because we use knives and forks every day, we do not notice how they hamper us.
In short, if your online community occupies a specific niche, joining the Facebook juggernaut can hamper your growth.
Historical Examples
I believe our children, if we do not hamper them, will never know the struggle we have had.
The Meaning of EvolutionSamuel Christian Schmucker
Public sympathy has enabled it to hamper me in this fashion.
The SnareRafael Sabatini
She would help the politician, while another might hamper the man.'
Lord KilgobbinCharles Lever
That is because the heart is not allowed to hamper the head.
The BondwomanMarah Ellis Ryan
A new book of Meredith's comes to me like a hamper of noble wines.
My Contemporaries In FictionDavid Christie Murray
hamper1
- (tr) to prevent the progress or free movement of
- nautical gear aboard a vessel that, though essential, is often in the way
Word Origin
hamper2
- a large basket, usually with a cover
- British such a basket and its contents, usually food
- US a laundry basket
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for hamper
v.
late 14c., hampren "to surround, imprison, confine," also "to pack in a container," of unknown origin, possibly from hamper (n.1), or somehow connected to Middle English hamelian "to maim." Related: Hampered; hampering.
n.1
"large basket," early 14c., contraction of Anglo-French hanaper (Anglo-Latin hanepario), from Old French hanepier "case for holding a large goblet or cup;" in medical use "skull," also "helmet; armored leather cap," from hanap "goblet," from Frankish or some other Germanic source (cf. Old Saxon hnapp "cup, bowl;" Old High German hnapf, German Napf, Old English hnæpp). The word also meant (15c.) "the department of Chancery into which fees were paid for sealing and enrolling charters, etc." The first -a- may be a French attempt to render Germanic hn- into an acceptable Romanic form.
n.2
1835, "things important for a ship but in the way at certain times" (Klein's definition), from French hamper "to impede." Hence top hamper, originally "upper masts, spars, rigging, etc. of a sailing ship."