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   Bur·den

   /ˈbərd(ə)n/

   

   noun

   • 1. a load, typically a heavy one. Similar loadcargofreightweightchargepackbundleparcel
   • ▪ a duty or misfortune that causes hardship, anxiety, or grief; a nuisance: "the burden of long-term illness" Similar responsibilityonuschargedutyobligationliabilitytroublecareproblemworryanxietytribulationafflictiontrialdifficultymisfortunestrainstressencumbrancemillstonecross to bearalbatrossarchaic:cumber
   • ▪ the main responsibility for achieving a specified aim or task: "the burden of establishing that the cost was unreasonable"
   • ▪ a ship's carrying capacity; tonnage: "the schooner Wyoming, of about 6,000 tons burden"
   • 2. the main theme or gist of a speech, book, or argument: "the burden of his views" Similar gistsubstancedriftimplicationintentionthrustmeaningsignificancesignificationsenseessencethesisimportpurporttenormessagespirit
   • 3. the refrain or chorus of a song. archaic

   verb

   • 1. load heavily: "she walked forward burdened with a wooden box" Similar loadweightchargeweigh downencumberhamperoverloadoverburdenrare:trammel
   • ▪ cause (someone) hardship or distress: "they were not yet burdened with adult responsibility" Similar oppresstroublecause trouble tocause suffering toworrybesetbotherharassdisturbupsetdepressget someone downdistressgrievehauntnagtormentharrowafflictstrainstresstaxoverwhelmperturbplaguebedevil

   Word Origin Old Englishbyrthen, of West Germanic origin; related to bear1.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • B

     3

   • U

     1

   • R

     1

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

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