BURDEN • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Burden

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/bˈərdən/ Listen

noun

Burden n. (Written also burthen)

That which is borne or carried; a load. "Plants with goodly burden bowing."

That which is borne with labor or difficulty; that which is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive. "Deaf, giddy, helpless, left alone, To all my friends a burden grown."

The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she will carry; as, a ship of a hundred tons burden.

(Mining) The tops or heads of stream-work which lie over the stream of tin.

(Metal.) The proportion of ore and flux to fuel, in the charge of a blast furnace.

A fixed quantity of certain commodities; as, a burden of gad steel, 120 pounds.

A birth. (Obs. & R.)

Beast of burden, an animal employed in carrying burdens.

Burden of proof (Law), the duty of proving a particular position in a court of law, a failure in the performance of which duty calls for judgment against the party on whom the duty is imposed.

Synonyms: Burden, Load. A burden is, in the literal sense, a weight to be borne; a load is something laid upon us to be carried. Hence, when used figuratively, there is usually a difference between the two words. Our burdens may be of such a nature that we feel bound to bear them cheerfully or without complaint. They may arise from the nature of our situation; they may be allotments of Providence; they may be the consequences of our errors. What is upon us, as a load, we commonly carry with greater reluctance or sense of oppression. Men often find the charge of their own families to be a burden; but if to this be added a load of care for others, the pressure is usually serve and irksome.

Burden n.

The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme at the end of each stanza; the chorus; refrain. Hence: That which is often repeated or which is dwelt upon; the main topic; as, the burden of a prayer. "I would sing my song without a burden."

The drone of a bagpipe.

Burden n. A club. (Obs.)

verb

Burden v. t. (past & past part. burdened; pres. part. burdening)

To encumber with weight (literal or figurative); to lay a heavy load upon; to load. "I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened."

To oppress with anything grievous or trying; to overload; as, to burden a nation with taxes. "My burdened heart would break."

To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a burden (something heavy or objectionable). (R.) "It is absurd to burden this act on Cromwell."

Synonyms: To load; encumber; overload; oppress.

See images of 'Burden'

Etymology of 'Burden'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |