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hamper

 [ham-per]   Example Sentences Origin

ham·per

1   [ham-per]
verb (used with object)
1.
to hold back; hinder; impede: A steady rain hampered the progress of the work.
2.
to interfere with; curtail: The dancers' movements were hampered by their elaborate costumes.
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noun
3.
Nautical. gear that, although necessary to the operations of a vessel, is sometimes in the way.

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Origin:
1300–50; Middle English hampren; akin to Old English hamm enclosure, hemm hem1

Related forms
ham·pered·ly, adverb
ham·pered·ness, noun
ham·per·er, noun
un·ham·pered, adjective
un·ham·per·ing, adjective

Synonyms
1. obstruct, encumber, trammel, clog. See prevent.

Antonyms
1. further, encourage, facilitate.

Example Sentences
  • Attacks by pirates are common and hamper the delivery of food aid.
  • High winds, powerful waves and difficult currents hamper operations.
  • His only outlets are running around his neighborhood or burrowing into the depths of the clothes hamper.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged

ham·per

2   [ham-per]
noun
1.
a large basket or wickerwork receptacle, usually with a cover: picnic hamper; clothes hamper.
2.
British. such a basket together with its contents, especially food.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English hampere, variant of hanypere hanaper
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To hamper
Collins
World English Dictionary
hamper1 (ˈhæmpə)
 
—vb
1.  (tr) to prevent the progress or free movement of
 
—n
2.  nautical gear aboard a vessel that, though essential, is often in the way
 
[C14: of obscure origin; perhaps related to Old English hamm enclosure, hemmhem1]
 
'hamperedness1
 
—n
 
'hamperer1
 
—n

hamper2 (ˈhæmpə)
 
—n
1.  a large basket, usually with a cover
2.  (Brit) such a basket and its contents, usually food
3.  (US) a laundry basket
 
[C14: variant of hanaper]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

hamper
c.1350, hampren "to surround, imprison, confine," later "to pack in a container," of unknown origin, possibly from hamper (n.), or somehow connected to M.E. hamelian "to maim." The noun meaning "things important for a ship but in the way at certain times" (1835) is from Fr. hamper "to impede."
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hamper
"large basket," 1316, contraction of Anglo-Fr. hanaper (Anglo-L. hanepario), from O.Fr. hanepier "case for holding a large goblet or cup," from hanap "goblet," from Frank. (cf. O.S. hnapp "cup, bowl;" O.H.G. hnapf).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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