Encumber

Origin

From Old French encombrer, from en- + combrer ("to hinder"); see cumber.

Full definition of encumber

Verb

1. (transitive) to load down something with a burden
2. (transitive) to restrict or block something with a hindrance or impediment
• 1906 – 1921, w, w:The Forsyte Saga Chapter Encounter, He Forsyte had never committed the imprudence of marrying or encumbering himself in any way with children.
3. (transitive) to add a legal claim or other obligation

Synonyms

Antonyms

• disencumber, unload, unencumber

Derived terms

• encumbrance
• encumbrous