Encumber Definition & Meaning

Origin of Encumber

Middle English encombren from Old French encombrer to block up en- in en–¹ combre hindrance (from Gaulish comboros)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French encombrer, from en- + combrer (“to hinder”); see cumber.

From Wiktionary

Time was not on his side at his age, and if he had to be beaten at one election he was anxious to get rid of the other issues which would encumber the popular vote, and to press on to a second when he would be on the attacking side.
The greatest variety of episodical matter is thus introduced; but the propriety of the occasion and the mode of introduction are such that no complaint can be made; the episodes never entangle, encumber or even unpleasantly interrupt the main narrative.
Near by were so-called "bear-wallows," which proved to be the remains of an aboriginal workshop, where masses of flint were broken into rectangular blocks; and spalls and flint-chips encumber the floor and choke the passage-way.
Either husband or wife may hold, manage and dispose of his or her separate property independent of the other, but property which they hold in common is under the management and control of the husband except that he cannot devise by will more than one-half of the community real or personal property, or convey, mortgage or encumber any of the community real estate unless his wife joins him.

Find similar words to encumber using the buttons below.