different between encumber vs encumbrance

English

Etymology

From Middle English encombren, from Old French encombrer, from en- + combrer (“to hinder”); see cumber.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?k?mb?(?)/, /?n?k?mb?(?)/
• Rhymes: -?mb?(r)

Verb

encumber (third-person singular simple present encumbers, present participle encumbering, simple past and past participle encumbered)

1. (transitive) to load down something with a burden
2. (transitive) to restrict or block something with a hindrance or impediment
3. (transitive) to burden with a legal claim or other obligation

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:hinder

Antonyms

• disencumber, unload, unencumber

Derived terms

• encumbrance
• encumbrous

Related terms

• unencumber
• incumbrance
• cumber
• cumbersome

Translations

Further reading

• encumber in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• encumber in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “encumber”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

English

Alternative forms

• incumbrance

Etymology

From Middle English encombraunce, from Old French encombrance, from encombrer.

Noun

encumbrance (countable and uncountable, plural encumbrances)

1. Something that encumbers; a burden that must be carried.

   • Some consideration was necessary to decide whether or not to leave his rifle there. On the return, carrying the girl and a pack, it would be added encumbrance […]

2. (law) An interest, right, burden, or liability attached to a title of land, such as a lien or mortgage.
3. (law) One who is dependent on another.

   a widow without encumbrances, i.e. without children

Synonyms

• encumberment

Translations

Verb

encumbrance (third-person singular simple present encumbrances, present participle encumbrancing, simple past and past participle encumbranced)

1. (law) To apply an encumbrance to (property, etc.).