burden¹ /bûrˈdn/ (archaic burthen /bûrˈdhn/)

1. A load
2. A ship's carrying capacity (still often burthen)
3. Something grievous, oppressive, or difficult to bear
4. An obligation
5. Any restriction, limitation or encumbrance affecting person or property (Scots law)
6. A child in the womb (obsolete)
7. A birth, confinement (obsolete)
8. (in pl) a boat's floorboards

1. To load
2. To oppress
3. To encumber

burˈdenous or burˈdensome adjective

1. Heavy
2. Oppressive

burden of proof

The obligation to prove one's contention

burden² /bûrˈdən/ (archaic burthen /bûrˈdhən/)

1. A bourdon or bass
2. The part of a song repeated at the end of every stanza, a refrain
3. The main theme of anything

burden³ /bûrˈdən/

A pilgrim's staff

• foundresses
• foundries
• foundry
• founds
• fount
• fountain
• fountained
• fountainhead
• fountainheads
• fountaining
• fountainless
• fountain pen
• fountain pens
• fountains
• fountful
• founts
• four
• four-ale
• fourball
• four bits
• four-by-four
• four-by-two
• fourchette
• fourchettes
• four-colour