| 释义 |
en·cum·ber
transitive verb
also in·cum·ber \ə̇nˈkəmbə(r), en-\
(encumbered ; encumbered ; encumbering \-b(ə)riŋ\ ; encumbers)
Etymology: Middle English encombren, from Middle French encombrer to obstruct, burden, from Old French, from en- en- (I) + (assumed) combre abatis (whence Middle French combre barrier constructed in the bed of a river to hold back fish or protect the banks), perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to the source of Medieval Latin combrus abatis and to Middle Irish commar confluence; both these from a prehistoric Celtic compound whose first constituent is represented by Old Irish com- together and whose second constituent is akin to Latin ferre to carry — more at co-, bear
1.
a. : to weigh down
< a man encumbered with parcels >
< shock troops encumbered with mortars and flamethrowers >
b. : to load to excess : overburden
< a summer resort … encumbered with great clapboard-and-stucco hotels — A.J.Liebling >
2. : to impede or hamper the natural or requisite function or activity of
< elaborate ritual encumbering international diplomacy >
: hinder
< a project encumbered by lack of funds >
3. : to load with debts or other legal claims
< encumber an estate with mortgages >
Synonyms: see burden |