Search results for 'burden':

burden¹ noun 1 something to be carried; a load. 2 a duty or obligation, etc which is difficult, time-consuming, costly, exacting or hard to endure. 3 the carrying of a load or loads • a beast of burden. 4 naut (also burthen) the amount of cargo a ship can carry; its capacity. verb (burdened, burdening) 1 (usually burden someone with something) to weigh them down with a burden, difficulty, problem, etc; to trouble or impose upon them. 2 (sometimes burden something or someone down) to put a load on to it or them.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon as byrthen, from beran to bear.

burden² noun 1 the main theme, especially of a book or speech, etc. 2 a line repeated at the end of each verse of a song; a refrain.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c, originally meaning 'a bass accompaniment': from French bourdon a droning sound.