encumber
/ɪnˈkʌmbə(ɹ)/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.68 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "In the reverse direction, creature comforts were not closely studied, and the vessel left Antwerp at 1 p.m., to arrive in Harwich at the awkward hour of 2 a.m. The boat train was waiting for the weary stream of passengers, who straggled up George Street, encumbered with luggage, or following burdened porters in the darkness."
- "He [Timothy Forsyte] had never committed the imprudence of marrying or encumbering himself in any way with children."
Etymology
From Middle English encombren, from Old French encombrer, from en- + combrer (“to hinder”) (See cumber). By surface analysis, en- + cumber.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: encombren, encombrer