I. ham ‧ per 1 /ˈhæmpə $ -ər/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: Origin unknown ]
to make it difficult for someone to do something:
She tried to run, but was hampered by her heavy suitcase.
An attempt to rescue the men has been hampered by bad weather.
II. hamper 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: hanaper 'case for holding cups' (13-19 centuries) , from Old French hanap 'cup' ]
1 . British English a basket with a lid, which is used for carrying food or sending it to someone as a present:
a picnic hamper
They sent us a lovely Christmas hamper.
2 . American English a large basket that you put dirty clothes in until they can be washed SYN laundry basket British English