cumber

1 of 2

verb

cum·ber ˈkəm-bər

cumbered; cumbering ˈkəm-b(ə-)riŋ

archaic : trouble, harass

: to hinder or encumber by being in the way

cumbered with heavy clothing

: to clutter up

rocks cumbering the yard

cumber

2 of 2

: something that cumbers

especially : hindrance

Etymology

Verb

Middle English combren, short for acombren, from Anglo-French acumbrer, encumbrer — more at encumber

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cumber was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Style

“Cumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cumber. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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