OVERBURDEN


Meaning of OVERBURDEN in English

I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ transitive verb

Etymology: over (I) + burden, v.

: to place an excessive burden on : load to excess : weigh down

the pauper class which overburdens the city asylums — Nels Anderson

overburdened … by a profusion of ornament — Anny Varron

tree branches overburdened with ice

II. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun

Etymology: in sense 1, from overburden (I) ; in other senses, from over (III) + burden, n.

1. : excess of burden

2.

a. : consolidated or unconsolidated material overlying a deposit of useful geological materials (as a coal seam or an ore body) especially where mined by open cuts ; also : sedimentary rock overlying older crystalline rocks

b. : loose soil, sand, gravel, or similar material above a bedrock

3. : the sterile stratum lying above a cultural level at an archaeological site

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.