Cumber \Cum"ber\ (k?m"b?r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cumbered} (-b?rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Cumbering}.] [OE. combren, cumbren,OF. combrer to hinder, from LL. cumbrus a heap, fr. L. cumulus; cf. Skr. ?? to increase, grow strong. Cf. {Cumulate}.] To rest upon as a troublesome or useless weight or load; to be burdensome or oppressive to; to hinder or embarrass in attaining an object, to obstruct or occupy uselessly; to embarrass; to trouble.
Why asks he what avails him not in fight, And would but cumber and retard his flight? --Dryden.
Martha was cumbered about much serving. --Luke x. 40.
Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? -- Luke xiii. 7.
The multiplying variety of arguments, especially frivolous ones, . . . but cumbers the memory. --Locke.
Cumber \Cum"ber\ (k?m"b?r), n. [Cf. encombre hindrance, impediment. See Cuber,v.] Trouble; embarrassment; distress. [Obs.] [Written also {comber}.]
A place of much distraction and cumber. -- Sir H. Wotton.