Pronunciation: [ɛnkˈʌmbəd] (IPA) 
The word "encumbered" is spelled with the letter "e" followed by "ncumb". The "e" at the beginning is pronounced as /ɪn/ while the "ncumb" is pronounced as /ɛnˈkʌm/ with a stress on the second syllable. The word means to hinder or obstruct and is commonly used in legal contexts. It is important to spell the word correctly to ensure clear communication and understanding.
Encumbered is an adjective that describes a situation or state in which something or someone is burdened, weighed down, or impeded by obstacles, restrictions, or limitations. An encumbered person or object is hindered or restricted in movement, progress, or action, either physically, emotionally, or metaphorically.
In a physical sense, encumbered usually implies being overloaded with excessive weight or being constrained by physical objects that limit mobility. For instance, a hiker carrying a heavy backpack may feel encumbered, as the weight of the pack restricts their agility and endurance.
However, encumbered is not solely limited to physical burdens. It can also refer to emotional or metaphorical burdens. Psychologically, an encumbered individual may be burdened by anxieties, stress, or emotional baggage, which weighs them down emotionally and makes it difficult for them to function optimally in daily life.
In a metaphorical sense, encumbered can refer to situations where progress or success is impeded by obstacles, obligations, or hindrances. For instance, a professional might feel encumbered by excessive bureaucratic processes, strict regulations, or other restrictions that slow down or prevent them from accomplishing their goals efficiently.
Overall, encumbered suggests a state of being weighed down, hindered, or restricted by physical, emotional, or metaphorical burdens that inhibit free movement, progress, or action.
Impeded; loaded with debts, as an estate.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "encumbered" traces its roots back to the Latin term "encumbĕre", which consists of the prefix "en-", meaning "in" or "into", and the verb "cumbĕre", meaning "to lie down" or "to rest". In Latin, "encumbĕre" was used to refer to physically weighing down or restraining someone or something. Over time, it evolved into "encumber" in Old French, with the same sense of burdening or hindering. Eventually, during the 17th century, the adjective form "encumbered" emerged to describe something that is burdened, impeded, or obstructed by various obstacles or complications.
