A burden or impediment that restricts or hinders movement, progress, or action. It can refer to physical objects or abstract obstacles.
From Old French 'encombrer,' meaning 'to block up,' derived from 'en-' (in) and 'combre' (barrier). The word suggests being blocked or weighed down by obstacles, entering English in the 14th century.
Think 'en-cumber' - you're weighed down like a cucumber in your pocket! This word appears in both literal contexts (heavy baggage) and figurative ones (bureaucratic obstacles).
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