> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://goodoil.news/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# The Good Oil Word of the Day
- URL: https://goodoil.news/the-good-oil-word-of-the-day-63/
- Published: 2024-09-27T18:15:48.000Z
- Updated: 2024-09-27T18:15:47.000Z
- Author: David Theobald
- Tags: General, Word of the Day

The word for today is…

encumber (verb):

1: weigh down, burden  
2: to impede or hamper the function or activity of : hinder  
3: to burden with a legal claim (such as a mortgage)

Source : [Merriam -Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encumber?ref=goodoil.news)

Etymology : To be encumbered is to be held back, weighed down, overburdened. One can be encumbered physically (as by a heavy load or severe weather) or figuratively (as by, depression). Encumber traces back to the Middle French noun combre, which referred to a dam or weir constructed in the bed of a river to hold back fish or protect the banks. The notion of stoppage or blockage embedded in combre led to the verb encombre (“to obstruct, burden”) and further downstream to not only the English verb encumber, but adjectives cumbersome and cumbrous, both used to describe things that can slow one down. (Note, however, that the place name Cumberland—referring originally to a former county of northwestern England comes not from combre, but rather the Latin designation Cumbria, in turn was influenced by the Welsh Cymry.)

***If you enjoyed this Good Oil word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.***