[ham.per] vt ham.pered ; ham.per.ing [ME] (14c) 1 a: to restrict the movement of by bonds or obstacles: impede b: to interfere with the operation of: disrupt
2. a: curb, restrain b: to interfere with: encumber syn hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting. hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence "hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate". trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net "rules that trammel the artist's creativity". clog usu. implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering "a court system clogged by frivolous suits". fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost "a nation fettered by an antiquated class system". shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom "a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice" "a people manacled by tyranny".
[2]hamper n [ME hampere, alter. of hanaper, lit., case to hold goblets, fr. MF hanapier, fr. hanap goblet, of Gmc origin; akin to OE hnaepp bowl] (14c): a large basket usu. with a cover for packing, storing, or transporting articles (as food or laundry)