n. & v.
n. 1 a load, esp. a heavy one. 2 an oppressive duty, obligation, expense, emotion, etc. 3 the bearing of loads (beast of burden). 4 (also archaic burthen) a ship's carrying-capacity, tonnage. 5 a the refrain or chorus of a song. b the chief theme or gist of a speech, book, poem, etc.
v.tr. load with a burden; encumber, oppress. burden of proof the obligation to prove one's case. burdensome adj.
[ OE byrthen: rel. to BIRTH ]