Embarred

/ɪmˈbɑːrd/ adjective, verb

Definition

Past tense of embar; barred, blocked, or obstructed (archaic or specialized usage).

Etymology

From em- (prefix meaning 'to cause to be') + bar + '-ed' (past tense/past participle suffix). This represents an archaic formation where 'embar' meant to bar or obstruct.

Kelly Says

The word 'embarred' is virtually extinct in modern English, but it demonstrates how the 'em-' prefix was once much more productive—English used to create words like 'embar,' 'embitter,' and 'empower' freely, though many fell out of use.

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