释义 |
overburden I. \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\ transitive verb Etymology: over (I) + burden, v. : to place an excessive burden on : load to excess : weigh down < the pauper class which overburdens the city asylums — Nels Anderson > < overburdened … by a profusion of ornament — Anny Varron > < tree branches overburdened with ice > II. \ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\ noun Etymology: in sense 1, from overburden (I); in other senses, from over (III) + burden, n. 1. : excess of burden 2. a. : consolidated or unconsolidated material overlying a deposit of useful geological materials (as a coal seam or an ore body) especially where mined by open cuts; also : sedimentary rock overlying older crystalline rocks b. : loose soil, sand, gravel, or similar material above a bedrock 3. : the sterile stratum lying above a cultural level at an archaeological site |