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.

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