cumbrance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicArchaic / Literary
Quick answer
What does “cumbrance” mean?
A burden, something that is heavy or troublesome to carry or manage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A burden, something that is heavy or troublesome to carry or manage; an encumbrance.
Anything that obstructs, hinders, or is a source of inconvenience; a physical or figurative load that causes difficulty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Poetic or legalistic in historical contexts.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary speech or writing in either variety.
Grammar
How to Use “cumbrance” in a Sentence
[be] a cumbrance (to someone)carry the cumbrance ofVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cumbrance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No modern verb form. Archaic: to 'cumber' meaning to hinder.]
American English
- [No modern verb form. Archaic: to 'cumber' meaning to hinder.]
adverb
British English
- [No common adverb form derived from 'cumbrance'.]
American English
- [No common adverb form derived from 'cumbrance'.]
adjective
British English
- The cumbersome package was difficult to carry.
American English
- The cumbersome regulations slowed down the process.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or literary analysis, referring to archaic texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in modern technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cumbrance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cumbrance”
- Using it in modern contexts; misspelling as 'cumberance' or 'cumbrence'; confusing it with the adjective 'cumbersome'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic. The adjective 'cumbersome' and the noun 'encumbrance' are the standard modern forms.
Primarily for reading historical, literary, or poetic texts where it might appear. It is not necessary for active, modern use.
'Encumbrance' is the standard modern noun. 'Cumbrance' is an older, simpler form that is now obsolete. Their meanings are identical.
No. Modern legal terminology uses 'encumbrance' (e.g., a lien or claim on a property). Using 'cumbrance' would be incorrect and unclear.
A burden, something that is heavy or troublesome to carry or manage.
Cumbrance is usually archaic / literary in register.
Cumbrance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmbrəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkəmbrəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no specific idioms for this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old knight trying to ride with a heavy CUMber (like a cucumber) in his backpack – it's a CUMBRANCE.
Conceptual Metaphor
BURDENS ARE PHYSICAL WEIGHTS / DIFFICULTIES ARE PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTIONS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a modern, common synonym for the archaic word 'cumbrance'?