incumbent

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɪnˈkʌmb(ə)nt/, /ɪŋ-/ (General American) IPA(key): /ɪnˈkʌmbənt/, /ɪŋ-/ (Dublin) IPA(key): /ɪnˈkʊmbən/, /ɪŋ-/ Hyphenation: in‧cumb‧ent === Etymology 1 === From Latin incumbentem + English -ent (suffix denoting the causing, doing, or promoting of an action). Incumbentem is the accusative singular of incumbēns (“reclining”), the present active participle of incumbō (“to lay upon, to lean or recline on; to fall upon, to press down on”), from in- (prefix meaning ‘against; into; on, upon’) + *cumbō (“to lie down, recline”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱewb-). ==== Adjective ==== incumbent (comparative more incumbent, superlative most incumbent) Chiefly followed by on or upon: leaning, or lying, reclining, or resting, on something else. Synonym: recumbent (botany) Of an anther: lying on the inner side of the filament; also, of a cotyledon: having its back lying against the radicle. (zoology) Of a body part such as a hair, spine, or wing: bent downwards or otherwise positioned so that it, or part of it, rests on or touches something else; specifically (ornithology), of the hind toe of a bird: fully resting on a support. (figurative) Being the current holder of an office or a title; specifically (Christianity, obsolete), of an ecclesiastical benefice. Oppressive, pressuring. Followed by on or upon: imposed on one as an obligation, especially due to one's office or position. (poetic) Hanging or leaning over. (obsolete) Putting much effort into an activity or some work. (obsolete) Weighing on one's mind. ===== Derived terms ===== incumbently subincumbent superincumbent superincumbently ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === From Middle English incumbent, encumbent (“holder of an ecclesiastical benefice, dean, parson, etc.; cleric (?)”), from Medieval Latin incumbēns (“holder of a church position”) + Middle English -ent (suffix denoting one that causes, does, or promotes an action). Incumbēns is derived from Medieval Latin incumbō (“to obtain; to possess”), from Latin incumbō (“to lay upon, to lean or recline on; to fall upon, to press down on”): see etymology 1. ==== Noun ==== incumbent (plural incumbents) The current holder of an office or title; (specifically, Christianity) the holder of an ecclesiastical benefice. Antonym: nonincumbent Coordinate term: (dated, rare) incumbentess (business) A holder of a position as supplier to a market or market segment that allows the holder to earn above-normal profits. Antonym: nonincumbent ===== Derived terms ===== incumbence (obsolete) incumbency incumbentess (dated, rare) nonincumbent ===== Translations ===== === References === === Further reading === incumbent on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “incumbent”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. Asa Gray (1857), “[Glossary […].] Incumbent.”, in First Lessons in Botany and Vegetable Physiology, […], New York, N.Y.: Ivison & Phinney and G[eorge] P[almer] Putnam & Co., […], →OCLC, page 219: “leaning or resting on; the cotyledons are incumbent when the back of one of them lies against the radicle; the anthers are incumbent when turned or looking inwards” == Latin == === Verb === incumbent third-person plural future active indicative of incumbō