/ ˈhæmpə(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
[ vn ] [ often passive ] to prevent sb from easily doing or achieving sth
SYN hinder
■ noun
1.
a large basket with a lid, especially one used to carry food in :
a picnic hamper
2.
( especially BrE ) a box or package containing food, sent as a gift :
a Christmas hamper
3.
( NAmE ) a large basket that you keep your dirty clothes in until they are washed
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun Middle English (denoting any large case or casket): from Anglo-Norman French hanaper case for a goblet, from Old French hanap goblet, of Germanic origin.
verb late Middle English (in the sense shackle, entangle, catch ): perhaps related to German hemmen restrain.