Cum"ber (k?m"b?r), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Cumbered (-b?rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Cumbering.] [OE. combren, cumbren,OF. combrer to hinder, from LL. cumbrus a heap, fr. L. cumulus; cf. Skr. to increase, grow strong. Cf. Cumulate.]
To rest upon as a troublesome or useless weight or load; to be burdensome or oppressive to; to hinder or embarrass in attaining an object, to obstruct or occupy uselessly; to embarrass; to trouble.
Why asks he what avails him not in fight,
And would but cumber and retard his flight?
Dryden.
Martha was cumbered about much serving.
Luke x. 40.
Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luke xiii. 7.
The multiplying variety of arguments, especially frivolous ones, . . . but cumbers the memory.
Locke.
© Webster 1913.
Cum"ber (k?m"b?r), n. [Cf. encombre hindrance, impediment. See Cuber,v.]
Trouble; embarrassment; distress.
[Obs.] [Written also
comber.]
A place of much distraction and cumber.
Sir H. Wotton.
Sage counsel in cumber.
Sir W. Scott.
© Webster 1913.