cumber

Definition

To slow down; to hinder; to burden; to encumber.

Etymology

From Middle English combren, aphetic form of acombren or encombren, borrowed from Old French encombrer, ultimately either from Latin cumulus or Proto-Celtic *kombereti (“to bring together”), from *kom- + *bereti (“to bear”). Cognate with German kümmern (“to take care of”).

Example Sentences

• "Why asks he what avails him not in fight, / And would but cumber and retard his flight?"
• "The multiplying variety of arguments, especially frivolous ones, […] but cumbers the memory."
• "Wounded and overthrown, the Britons continued their resistance, clung round the legs of the Norman steeds, and cumbered their advance; while their brethren, thrusting with pikes, proved every joint and crevice of the plate and mail, or grappling with the men-at-arms, strove to pull them from their horses by main force, or beat them down with their bills and Welch hooks."

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