[ham-per] 
| 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. |
| 3. | Nautical. gear that, although necessary to the operations of a vessel, is sometimes in the way. |
[ham-per] | 1. | a large basket or wickerwork receptacle, usually with a cover: picnic hamper; clothes hamper. |
| 2. | British. such a basket together with its contents, esp. food. |
| ham·per 1 (hām'pər) tr.v. ham·pered, ham·per·ing, ham·pers To prevent the free movement, action, or progress of. n. Nautical Necessary but encumbering equipment on a ship. [Middle English hamperen.] Synonyms: These verbs mean to restrict the activity or free movement of: a swimmer hampered by clothing; prisoners fettered by chains; handcuffed by rigid regulations; hobbled by responsibilities; leadership that refused to be hogtied; imagination manacled by fear; shackled by custom; trammeled by debts. See Also Synonyms at hinder1. |
| ham·per 2 (hām'pər) n. A large basket, usually with a cover. [Middle English, alteration of Anglo-Norman hanaper, from Old French hanepier, a case for holding goblets, from hanap, goblet, of Germanic origin.] |
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