encumber
UK/in'kʌmbә/US
TOEFLGREC2
Definitions
v.
To weigh down or burden with a heavy load
使负重，拖累
v.
To hinder or restrict, especially with obligations or debts
妨碍，牵制（尤指债务、责任）
Root Breakdown
Root-deriveden- (on) + cumber (the cumb root, 'lie heavy') = to pile a load onto someone until they can barely move. Used for physical weight (encumbered by gear) but more often for abstract burdens — a company encumbered by debt, a plan encumbered by red tape.
Root cumb still carries 5 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.encumbered by debt被债务拖累
- 2.encumber with使……负担
- 3.heavily encumbered负担沉重
Example Sentences
- 1.
Hikers should not encumber themselves with unnecessary gear.
- 2.
The new company was encumbered by debt from the very start.
- 3.
Too many rules can encumber even the simplest project.