Laden Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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laden

[ˈleɪdən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

burdened heavily

Laden means heavily loaded or weighed down. It can refer to physical weight, as in a truck laden with cargo, or metaphorically, such as being laden with responsibilities or emotions.

Synonyms

burdened, loaded, weighted.

Examples of usage

  • The truck was laden with bricks.
  • Her heart was laden with sorrow.
  • The tree was laden with ripe fruit.
Context #2 | Verb

to load heavily

To laden means to load or burden someone or something heavily. It often describes the action of putting a heavy load onto a vehicle or making someone carry a significant emotional or physical weight.

Synonyms

burden, encumber, load.

Examples of usage

  • They laden the cart with goods.
  • He felt laden with guilt after the incident.
  • The workers laden the ship with supplies.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • The term is often used in poetry to evoke a feeling of burden or heaviness, illustrating emotional weight.
  • In classic novels, characters may feel 'laden' with responsibilities or troubles, enhancing their struggles.

Psychology

  • People often use 'laden' metaphorically to describe emotional or mental burdens, illustrating the pressures they carry.
  • Research shows that feeling 'laden' can impact one's mental health, often leading to stress and anxiety.

Cultural Usage

  • In many cultures, having a 'laden' table during celebrations signifies abundance and hospitality.
  • Songs and poems often use 'laden' to express feelings of sorrow or being overwhelmed, linking sounds with emotional states.

Science

  • In environmental studies, plants can be described as 'laden' with fruits, indicating high productivity.
  • In physics, a 'laden' vessel refers to boats carrying cargo, emphasizing the importance of weight distribution.

Origin of 'laden'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'laden' comes from the Old English 'ladian', which means to load or carry.
  • It is related to the word 'load', sharing the same root that has been used for centuries to describe carrying things.

The word 'laden' comes from the Old English word 'ladian', which means 'to load'. It has its roots in Proto-Germanic '*ladeną', which also signifies loading or carrying. The term has been used since the 14th century in various forms, originally indicating 'to load a ship' and gradually extending to encompass both physical loads and emotional burdens. Over centuries, this word evolved while retaining its core meaning of being heavily burdened. It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, which also denote the act of loading or being heavily filled. Today, 'laden' is predominantly used as an adjective to describe things that are burdened, and as a verb meaning to load something heavily.


Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,509 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.