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cumber

 - 2 dictionary results

cum⋅ber

  [kuhm-ber]
Use cumber in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to hinder; hamper.
2. to overload; burden.
3. to inconvenience; trouble.
–noun
4. a hindrance.
5. something that cumbers.
6. Archaic. embarrassment; trouble.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME cumbre (n.), cumbren (v.), aph. var. of acumbren to harass, defeat; see encumber

Related forms:
cum⋅ber⋅er, noun
cum⋅ber⋅ment, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cumber
cum·ber   (kŭm'bər)   
tr.v.   cum·bered, cum·ber·ing, cum·bers

  1. To weigh down; burden: was cumbered with many duties.

  2. To hamper or hinder, as by being in the way: was cumbered with a long poncho.

  3. To litter; clutter up: Weeds cumbered the garden paths.

  4. Archaic To bother; distress.

n.  A hindrance; an encumbrance.

[Middle English combren, to annoy, from Old French combrer, from combre, hindrance, from Vulgar Latin *comboros, of Celtic origin.]
cum'ber·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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