encumbrance Hear it!

encumbrance definition

en·cum·brance (en kum′brəns, in-)

noun

  1. something that encumbers; hindrance; obstruction; burden
  2. Rare a dependent, esp. a child
  3. Law a lien, charge, or claim attached to real property, as a mortgage

Etymology: ME & OFr encombraunce

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.