I. ˈbər-d ə n noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English byrthen; akin to Old English beran to carry — more at bear
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : something that is carried : load
b. : duty , responsibility
2. : something oppressive or worrisome
3.
a. : the bearing of a load — usually used in the phrase beast of burden
b. : capacity for carrying cargo
a ship of a hundred tons burden
4. : load 11
worm burden
cancer burden
II. transitive verb
( bur·dened ; bur·den·ing ˈbərd-niŋ, ˈbər-d ə n-iŋ)
Date: 1541
: load , oppress
I will not burden you with a lengthy account
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English burdoun, from Anglo-French burdun a drone bass, of imitative origin
Date: 14th century
1. archaic : a bass or accompanying part
2.
a. : chorus , refrain
b. : a central topic : theme