Cum″ber (k?m″b?r), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Cumbered (–b?rd); p. pr. & vb. n.Cumbering.] [OE. combren, cumbren,OF. combrer to hinder, from LL. cumbrus a heap, fr. L. cumulus; cf. Skr. �� to increase, grow strong. Cf. Cumulate.] To rest upon as a troublesome or useless weight or load; to be burdensome or oppressive to; to hinder or embarrass in attaining an object, to obstruct or occupy uselessly; to embarrass; to trouble.
Why asks he what avails him not in fight,
And would but cumber and retard his flight?
Dryden.
Martha was cumbered about much serving.
Luke x. 40.
Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luke xiii. 7.
The multiplying variety of arguments, especially frivolous ones,... but cumbers the memory.
Locke.