encumbrance, encombraunce, encumbraunce

[Fr. encombrant, pr. par. of encom brer.] [INCUMBRANCE.] I. Ordinary Language : 1. A clog, load, impediment or hindrance to freedom of action or motion; a burden. "Thus dream they, and contrive to save a God Th' encumbrance of his own concerns." Cowper: Task, vi. 205, 206. marine; go, pot, The American Dictionary and Cyclopedia A encumbrancer 2. A clog or burden. "Account him an encumbrance on the state." Cowper: Task , vi. 958. 3. An excrescence, a usele addition. "Strip from the branching Alps their piny load, The huge encumbrance of horrific woods." Thomson: Autumn, 780, 781. 4. A trouble. "She thougt it to gret encombraunce So much to write." Chaucer: A emblie of Ladies. II. Law : A claim upon an estate for the dis charge of which the estate is liable; a right interest in an estate which diminishes its value, but does not prevent the pa ing of the fee by conveyance; as a mortgage, a judgment, a right of way.