Encumber Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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encumber
[ɪnˈkʌmbər ]
Definition
financial
Restrict or impede (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult.
Synonyms
burden, hamper, hinder, impede, restrict.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| encumber |
Used when something is weighed down physically or metaphorically, making movement or progress difficult.
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| hinder |
Means to cause delay or difficulty in the completion or progress of something. Generally, it suggests holding back rather than halting.
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| restrict |
Occurs in contexts where there are limits or rules set to confine actions, movements, or growth.
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| hamper |
Implies interfering with an activity, making it difficult but not necessarily stopping it. Often used for minor or temporary obstacles.
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| burden |
Often refers to carrying a heavy load, physically or emotionally. It has a slightly negative connotation, suggesting something is difficult to carry.
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| impede |
Used when there is an obstacle that slows progress. It carries a stronger sense of blocking or obstructing.
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Examples of usage
- Her debts encumbered her ability to travel.
- The new regulations encumbered the company's ability to innovate.
- Excessive paperwork encumbered the process of getting a loan.
- His emotional baggage encumbered his relationships.
- The heavy workload encumbered her productivity.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Legal and Financial Context
- In legal terms, property can be encumbered by a lien, meaning it has a claim against it until a debt is settled.
- Financial burdens such as debts or obligations can encumber an individual's ability to make further decisions or purchases.
- In real estate, encumbered properties may have restrictions that limit how they can be used or sold.
Psychology
- Emotional baggage can encumber individuals, making it difficult to move forward in life.
- Cognitive overload, often from information or responsibilities, can encumber decision-making processes.
- Feelings of guilt or past experiences can encumber mental wellbeing, leading to stress or anxiety.
Literature
- In many novels, characters feel encumbered by their past decisions, which shapes their journeys.
- Writers often use 'encumber' metaphorically to highlight the burdens of societal expectations on individuals.
- Classic literature often explores themes of being encumbered by duty or love, creating emotional depth.
Environmental Studies
- Certain practices, like pollution or deforestation, encumber natural ecosystems, affecting biodiversity.
- Urban areas can be encumbered by traffic and waste, leading to challenges in sustainability.
- The concept of carrying capacity relates to how naturally encumbered an ecosystem is by human activities.
Origin of 'encumber'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old French 'encumber', meaning to block or hinder, and is rooted in the Latin 'incumbere', meaning to lie upon or weigh down.
- It originally referred to physical burdens but has evolved to include emotional and figurative loads as well.
- The '-cumber' part is related to 'cumber', which means to hinder or create inconvenience.
The word 'encumber' originated from the Middle English word 'encumbren', which means 'to burden'. It has been used in the English language since the 14th century. The term evolved from Old French 'encombrer' and Latin 'incumbere', both of which have similar meanings related to burdening or hindering. Over time, 'encumber' has come to be associated with various forms of restriction or obstruction.
See also: encumbered, encumbrance.