encumber

== English == === Alternative forms === incumber (archaic) === Etymology === From Middle English encombren, from Old French encombrer, from en- + combrer (“to hinder”); see cumber. By surface analysis, en- +‎ cumber. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɪnˈkʌmbə(ɹ)/, /ɛnˈkʌmbə(ɹ)/ Rhymes: -ʌmbə(ɹ) === Verb === encumber (third-person singular simple present encumbers, present participle encumbering, simple past and past participle encumbered) (transitive) To load down something with a burden. (transitive) To restrict or block something with a hindrance or impediment. (transitive) To burden with a legal claim or other obligation. ==== Synonyms ==== See also Thesaurus:hinder ==== Antonyms ==== disencumber, unload, unencumber ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === “encumber”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “encumber”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “encumber”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.