ENCUMBER • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Encumber

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/ɛnkˈəmbər/ Listen

verb

Encumber v. t. (past & past part. encumbered; pres. part. encumbering) (Written also incumber)

To impede the motion or action of, as with a burden; to retard with something superfluous; to weigh down; to obstruct or embarrass; as, his movements were encumbered by his mantle; his mind is encumbered with useless learning. "Not encumbered with any notable inconvenience."

To load with debts, or other legal claims; as, to encumber an estate with mortgages.

Synonyms: To load; clog; oppress; overload; embarrass; perplex; hinder; retard; obstruct; check; block.

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Etymology of 'Encumber'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Encumber" Quotes from Famous Books

... fund, amounting in 1910-11 to L24,554,000, on the National Debt of the United Kingdom. It is impossible to estimate her share of the capital of the Debt, and I scarcely think that anyone would seriously propose to encumber the new Ireland with an old Debt, based on some arbitrary estimate. For the great bulk of Debt created in the past she has little moral responsibility—no more, at any rate, than the self-governing Colonies. In this respect she must ...

— The Framework of Home Rule • Erskine Childers

... what they do in cities. If in towns the earth begins to quake, everywhere we hear a terrible noise; the edifices give way, and are ready to fall down; the inhabitants rush out of their houses, run along the streets, which they encumber, and try to escape. The screams of frightened children and women bathed in tears are blended with those of the distracted men; all are on their knees, with clasped hands, their looks raised to Heaven, imploring its mercy with sobbing voices. Everything totters, is agitated; all ...

— Adventures in the Philippine Islands • Paul P. de La Gironiere

... condition was attached to the bequest. The legatees were to erect a statue to Colleoni on the Piazza of St. Mark. This, however, involved some difficulty; for the proud republic had never accorded a similar honor, nor did they choose to encumber their splendid square with a monument. They evaded the condition by assigning the Campo in front of the Scuola di S. Marco, where also stands the Church of S. Zanipolo, to the purpose. Here accordingly the finest bronze equestrian statue in Italy, if we except the Marcus Aurelius ...

— New Italian sketches • John Addington Symonds

... not a friend that I am seeking, not one of those uncertain, light-hearted, capricious relations which encumber life without adding to it. I am dreaming like a child, of a woman who should realise the greatest possible amount of beauty in her mind and person and who should add her strength to mine in the service of the same ideals. Rose, are you that woman? Will you help me to deliver other ...

— The Choice of Life • Georgette Leblanc

... Army it was certainly a peculiar collection, few or none of these articles being included in the Field Service regulations. Still, not more peculiar than some of the things with which solicitous friends and relatives encumber officers at the Front. ...

— Leaves from a Field Note-Book • J. H. Morgan

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