hamper

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To make something difficult to do; to slow or block progress.

   Heavy rain hampered the rescue efforts for several hours.

2. 2
   noun

   A large basket with a lid, used for carrying food, laundry, or other items.

   They packed a hamper full of food for the picnic.

From Middle English hamper, contracted from hanaper, hanypere, from Anglo-Norman hanaper, Old French hanapier, hanepier (“case for holding a large goblet or cup”), from hanap (“goblet, drinking cup”), from Frankish *hnapp (“cup, bowl, basin”), from Proto-Germanic *hnappaz (“cup, bowl”). Cognate with Old High German hnapf (“cup, bowl, basin”) (German Napf (“bowl”)), Dutch nap (“cup”), Old English hnæpp (“bowl”). More at nap.

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