ENCUMBER Meaning and
Definition
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The term "encumber" is primarily a verb, used to describe the act of burdening or hindering someone or something. It refers to the process of imposing limitations, restrictions, or obstructions that impede progress, movement, or functioning.
In a literal sense, encumber can encompass physical actions such as placing barriers or obstacles in someone's path, making it difficult for them to move or carry out their activities. For example, a cluttered room filled with furniture or objects encumbers movement within it.
However, encumber is more often employed in a figurative sense, describing the act of imposing difficulties or hindrances that obstruct someone's progress, development, or success. This can be through burdensome responsibilities, excessive demands, or unnecessary obligations that weigh down on an individual, thereby restraining their potential growth or productivity.
The term also signifies the act of burdening something abstract, such as a situation, system, or even an idea, with complexities, complications, or excessive requirements. For instance, excessive bureaucracy can encumber administrative processes, slowing down efficiency and impeding progress. Similarly, convoluted legislation might encumber the legal system, making it difficult to enforce or understand.
Overall, to encumber is to impose limitations, restrictions, or obstructions that prevent or hinder the normal functioning, development, or progress of someone or something.
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To burden with a load; to clog or impede motion with a load; to perplex or embarrass; to load an estate with debt.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ENCUMBER
Etymology of ENCUMBER
The word encumber comes from the Old French word encombrer, which means to block up, obstruct. It is derived from the Latin expression in-, meaning in, and comburare, which translates to to throw or place a barrier in one's way. The term eventually made its way into Middle English as encumbren, before taking its current form as encumber.
Idioms with the word ENCUMBER
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encumber sm or sth with sm or sth
The idiom "encumber someone or something with something" means to burden, weigh down, or make someone or something difficult to manage by adding additional responsibilities, tasks, or problems. It refers to the act of placing excessive or unnecessary obstacles, obligations, or complications on a person or object.
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encumber (someone) with (something)
The idiom "encumber (someone) with (something)" means to burden, weigh down, or impose a heavy responsibility, task, or task on someone. It refers to the act of placing a difficult or troublesome obligation on someone, typically resulting in hindrance or difficulty for that person.
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encumber someone or something with someone or something
The idiom "encumber someone or something with someone or something" means to burden, weigh down, or hinder someone or something with an additional person or thing that causes difficulty, inconvenience, or obstacles. It implies adding extra responsibilities, obligations, limitations, or problems to someone or something, making them less effective or efficient.
Similar spelling words for ENCUMBER
Conjugate verb Encumber
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have encumbered
you
would have encumbered
he/she/it
would have encumbered
we
would have encumbered
they
would have encumbered
I
would have encumber
you
would have encumber
he/she/it
would have encumber
we
would have encumber
they
would have encumber
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been encumbering
you
would have been encumbering
he/she/it
would have been encumbering
we
would have been encumbering
they
would have been encumbering
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would encumber
you
would encumber
he/she/it
would encumber
we
would encumber
they
would encumber
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be encumbering
you
would be encumbering
he/she/it
would be encumbering
we
would be encumbering
they
would be encumbering
FUTURE
I
will encumber
you
will encumber
he/she/it
will encumber
we
will encumber
they
will encumber
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be encumbering
you
will be encumbering
he/she/it
will be encumbering
we
will be encumbering
they
will be encumbering
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have encumbered
you
will have encumbered
he/she/it
will have encumbered
we
will have encumbered
they
will have encumbered
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been encumbering
you
will have been encumbering
he/she/it
will have been encumbering
we
will have been encumbering
they
will have been encumbering
IMPERATIVE
you
encumber
we
let´s encumber
to encumber
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was encumbering
you
were encumbering
he/she/it
was encumbering
we
were encumbering
they
were encumbering
PAST PARTICIPLE
encumbered
PAST PERFECT
I
had encumbered
you
had encumbered
he/she/it
had encumbered
we
had encumbered
they
had encumbered
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been encumbering
you
had been encumbering
he/she/it
had been encumbering
we
had been encumbering
they
had been encumbering
PRESENT
I
encumber
you
encumber
he/she/it
encumbers
we
encumber
they
encumber
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am encumbering
you
are encumbering
he/she/it
is encumbering
we
are encumbering
they
are encumbering
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
encumbering
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have encumbered
you
have encumbered
he/she/it
has encumbered
we
have encumbered
they
have encumbered
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been encumbering
you
have been encumbering
he/she/it
has been encumbering
we
have been encumbering
they
have been encumbering
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
encumber
SIMPLE PAST
I
encumbered
you
encumbered
he/she/it
encumbered
we
encumbered
they
encumbered
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