encumbrance

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Something that weighs you down or gets in your way; a burden.

   He travelled light, seeing extra luggage as an unnecessary encumbrance.

2. 2
   noun

   A legal claim or debt attached to property, such as a mortgage.

   The lawyer checked that the house was sold free of any encumbrance.

From Middle English encombraunce, from Old French encombrance, from encombrer.

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