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   En·cum·ber

   /inˈkəmbər/

   

   verb

   • 1. restrict or burden (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult: "she was encumbered by her heavy skirts" Similar hamperhinderobstructimpedecheckcrampinhibitrestrictlimitconstrainrestrainbog downretardslowslow downstalldelayinconveniencedisadvantagehandicapOpposite aidfacilitate
   • ▪ saddle (a person or estate) with a debt or mortgage: "an estate heavily encumbered with debt"
   • ▪ fill or block up (a place): "we tripped over sticks and stones, which encumber most of the trail"

   Word Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘cause trouble to, entangle’; formerly also as incumber): from Old French encombrer ‘block up’, from en- ‘in’ + combre ‘river barrage’.

   Scrabble Points: 14

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   • E

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