I. ˈkəmbə(r) transitive verb
( cumbered ; cumbered ; cumbering -b(ə)riŋ ; cumbers )
Etymology: Middle English cumbren, combren, perhaps from Old French combrer to prevent, hinder, from (assumed) Old French combre abatis — more at encumber
1. obsolete
a. : to destroy utterly : defeat
b. : trouble , harass
Martha was cumbered about much serving — Luke 10:40 (Authorized Version)
2. : to hinder or bother by being in the way
cumbered with heavy clothing
3. : to weigh down needlessly : burden uselessly : clutter up
cumber the memory with trivial facts
an old walnut tree … had perished a long time ago, but still stood and was cumbering the earth — A.E.Coppard
Synonyms: see burden
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English cumbre, combre, from cumbren, combren, v.
: something that cumbers: as
a. archaic : care , worry
b. archaic : trouble , inconvenience
c. : hindrance , burden , encumbrance