burden
1
[ bur-dn ]
/ ˈbɜr dn /
noun
verb (used with object)
to load heavily.
to load oppressively; trouble.
Origin of burden
1
before 1000; Middle English, variant of
burthen, Old English
byrthen; akin to German
Bürde, Gothic
baurthei; see
bear1
SYNONYMS FOR burden
synonym study for burden
1. See
load.
OTHER WORDS FROM burden
bur·den·er, noun bur·den·less, adjectiveWords nearby burden
burble,
burbot,
burchfield,
burckhardt,
burd,
burden,
burden of proof,
burdened,
burdensome,
burdizzo,
burdock
Definition for burden (2 of 2)
burden
2
[ bur-dn ]
/ ˈbɜr dn /
noun
the main point, message, or idea.
Music.
the refrain or recurring chorus of a song.
Origin of burden
2
1275–1325; Middle English
bordoun, burdoun < Old French
bourdon droning sound, instrument making such a sound
Example sentences from the Web for burden
British Dictionary definitions for burden (1 of 2)
burden
1
/ (ˈbɜːdən) /
noun
something that is carried; load
something that is exacting, oppressive, or difficult to bear
the burden of responsibility Related adjective: onerous
nautical
- the cargo capacity of a ship
- the weight of a ship's cargo
verb (tr)
(sometimes foll by up)
to put or impose a burden on; load
to weigh down; oppress
the old woman was burdened with cares
Word Origin for burden
Old English
byrthen; related to
beran to
bear
1, Old Frisian
berthene burden, Old High German
burdin
British Dictionary definitions for burden (2 of 2)
burden
2
/ (ˈbɜːdən) /
noun
a line of words recurring at the end of each verse of a ballad or similar song; chorus or refrain
the principal or recurrent theme of a speech, book, etc
another word for bourdon
Word Origin for burden
C16: from Old French
bourdon bass horn, droning sound, of imitative origin