■ noun
1》 a heavy load.
2》 a cause of hardship, worry, or grief.
↘the main responsibility for a task.
3》 a ship's carrying capacity.
4》 the main theme of a speech, book, or argument.
5》 archaic the refrain or chorus of a song.
■ verb
1》 load heavily.
2》 cause worry, hardship, or grief to.
Phrases
~ of proof the obligation to prove an assertion.
Derivatives
~some adjective
Origin
OE byrthen , of W. Gmc origin; related to bear 1 .