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Lumbered: meaning, definitions and examples

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lumbered

 

[ˈlʌm.bɚd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

moving heavily

Lumbered is the past tense of the verb 'lumber.' It refers to the action of moving in a slow, heavy, and awkward manner. This can be indicative of someone or something that is large and clumsy. The term often conjures images of a bear lumbering through the woods or a person carrying a heavy load. It can also imply a sense of weariness or fatigue in the manner of movement.

Synonyms

plodded, shuffled, stumbled, trudged.

Examples of usage

  • The bear lumbered through the forest.
  • He lumbered up the stairs after a long day.
  • The truck lumbered down the bumpy road.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Derived from the Old French word 'lombre', which means 'to weigh down', reflecting a sense of heaviness.
  • In early use, it referred specifically to the act of carrying heavy timber or logs, showing how weight affects movement.
  • The word has been in the English language since the 16th century, evolving to describe awkward movement in general.

Literature

  • The term is often used in literature to convey a sense of heaviness or clumsiness in a character's movement, creating vivid imagery.
  • Famous authors, like Mark Twain and Stephen King, have employed this word to describe characters who are either physically large or emotionally burdened.
  • In poetry, it can evoke themes of struggle or the weight of life's burdens through the depiction of heavy movement.

Psychology

  • The feeling of being 'lumbered' can symbolize being overwhelmed by emotions or situations, leading to a sense of sluggishness.
  • Studies in psychology often refer to movement styles as reflective of one's mental state, with heavy movements suggesting fatigue or stress.
  • This term can be metaphorically connected to the idea of carrying emotional 'baggage', hindering one's ability to move freely.

Pop Culture

  • In animated films, characters that lumber often emphasize their comedic awkwardness, such as Shrek or certain versions of Frankenstein's monster.
  • Songs and lyrics sometimes utilize the term to describe love or relationships that feel heavy and burdensome.
  • The term has also been featured in various video games, often used to describe sluggish movement mechanics for certain characters.

Biology

  • Certain large animals, like elephants or hippos, have a lumbering gait that's both impressive and somewhat humorous, showcasing their size.
  • The study of biomechanics analyzes how heavy creatures move, revealing efficiency despite their lumbering nature.
  • Lumbering movements are often associated with energy conservation, allowing large animals to travel long distances without exhausting themselves.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,167, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.