encumbrance

[ en-kuhm-bruh ns ]

/ ɛnˈkʌm brəns /

something that encumbers; something burdensome, useless, or superfluous; burden; hindrance: Poverty was a lifelong encumbrance.

a dependent person, especially a child.

Law. a burden or claim on property, as a mortgage.

Also incumbrance.

Origin of encumbrance

1275–1325; Middle English encombraunce < Middle French encumbrance. See encumber, -ance

In LA, Don is an outsider; a Madison Avenue interloper; an encumbrance.

What's Happened to Don Draper? Why Everyone’s Favorite ‘Mad Men’ Stud Needs His Mojo Back |Lizzie Crocker |April 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
For once, however, the lance meant more than five pounds dead weight and an encumbrance to the rider.

The Great Boer War |Arthur Conan Doyle
A boy or girl is never considered an encumbrance and is readily even eagerly adopted if his own parents die.

The New North |Agnes Deans Cameron
She bartered her child away as she would have parted with any other encumbrance likely to interfere with her career.

The Millionaire Baby |Anna Katharine Green

Whilst something higher than prudence is active, he is admirable; when common sense is wanted, he is an encumbrance.

Essays, First Series |Ralph Waldo Emerson
Would not you be an outlaw, and I no better than an encumbrance while you remain in hiding?

Lochinvar |S. R. Crockett

encumbrance

/ (ɪnˈkʌmbrəns) /

a thing that impedes or is burdensome; hindrance

law a burden or charge upon property, such as a mortgage or lien

rare a dependent person, esp a child