INCUMBENT


Meaning of INCUMBENT in English

— incumbently , adv.

/in kum"beuhnt/ , adj.

1. holding an indicated position, role, office, etc., currently: the incumbent officers of the club.

2. obligatory (often fol. by on or upon ): a duty incumbent upon me.

3. Archaic. resting, lying, leaning, or pressing on something: incumbent upon the cool grass.

n.

4. the holder of an office: The incumbent was challenged by a fusion candidate.

5. Brit. a person who holds an ecclesiastical benefice.

[ 1375-1425; late ME (n.) incumbent- (s. of incumbens prp. of incumbere to lie or lean upon, equiv. to in- IN- 2 + cumb- (nasalized var. of cub- sit, lie; see INCUBUS) + -ent- -ENT ]

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .