Burden
['bɜːd(ə)n] or ['bɝdn]
Definition
(noun.) an onerous or difficult concern; 'the burden of responsibility'; 'that's a load off my mind'.
(noun.) the central idea that is expanded in a document or discourse.
(verb.) weight down with a load.
Checked by Kenneth--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) That which is borne or carried; a load.
(n.) That which is borne with labor or difficulty; that which is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive.
(n.) The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she will carry; as, a ship of a hundred tons burden.
(n.) The tops or heads of stream-work which lie over the stream of tin.
(n.) The proportion of ore and flux to fuel, in the charge of a blast furnace.
(n.) A fixed quantity of certain commodities; as, a burden of gad steel, 120 pounds.
(n.) A birth.
(v. t.) To encumber with weight (literal or figurative); to lay a heavy load upon; to load.
(v. t.) To oppress with anything grievous or trying; to overload; as, to burden a nation with taxes.
(v. t.) To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a burden (something heavy or objectionable).
(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.
(n.) The drone of a bagpipe.
(n.) A club.
Typed by Floyd
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Load, weight.[2]. Cargo, freight, lading.[3]. Incumbrance, clog, impediment, incubus, drag weight, dead weight.[4]. Chorus, refrain.
v. a. Load, overload, overlay, oppress, surcharge, put a burden upon.
Typist: Perry
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Load, weight, Incubus, obstruction, oppression, grief, difficulty, affliction
ANT:Ease, lightness, airiness, expedition, facility, acceleration, abjugation,liberation, lightheartedness, alleviation, assuagement, mitigation,consolation, disburdenment
Editor: Margaret
Definition
n. (Spens.) a pilgrim's staff.
n. a load: weight: cargo: that which is grievous oppressive or difficult to bear as blame sin sorrow &c.: birth.—v.t. to load: to oppress: to encumber.—adjs. Bur′denous Bur′densome heavy: oppressive.—Burden of proof in legal procedure signifies the obligation to establish by evidence certain disputed facts.
n. part of a song repeated at the end of every stanza refrain: the leading idea of anything: a load of care sorrow or responsibility.
Typist: Melba
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream that you carry a heavy burden, signifies that you will be tied down by oppressive weights of care and injustice, caused from favoritism shown your enemies by those in power. But to struggle free from it, you will climb to the topmost heights of success.
Inputed by Leila
Examples
- The burden fell into a strain or tune as he stumped along the pavements. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Even the experimental work imposes no slight burden on it. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Nothing irks me like the idea of being a burden and a bore--an inevitable burden, a ceaseless bore! Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- That was the burden of her lament; and her last adjuration to her daughter was to escape from dinginess if she could. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- No one is useless in this world,' retorted the Secretary, 'who lightens the burden of it for any one else. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- It seemed to me that I was this dayespecially doomed--the main burden and trial falling on me alone of all the female teachers. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- I never ought to, while I have you to cheer me up, Marmee, and Laurie to take more than half of every burden, replied Amy warmly. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- It is as well I should ease my mind before I die: what we think little of in health, burdens us at such an hour as the present is to me. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- The men put down their burdens, and then one caught sight of the notice which Tarzan had posted. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- His superior intelligence and cunning permitted him to invent a thousand diabolical tricks to add to the burdens of Tublat's life. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- How slow had been the apprehension of the forces of that kind but silent Mother whose strong arms are ever ready to lift and carry the burdens of men whenever her aid is diligently sought! William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Then came the riderless horses with their burdens tied across the saddles. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- I may be strong-minded, but no one can say I'm out of my sphere now, for woman's special mission is supposed to be drying tears and bearing burdens. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- There never was a man like him for laying on himself burdens greater than he can bearvoluntarily incurring needless responsibilities. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- She would not be burdened with her society for any consideration. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- A second followed, then a third, a fourth, a fifth, and ultimately the whole barrow was peopled with burdened figures. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Well, really--considering it was you who burdened him with the responsibility! Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- It's a pity, wife, that you have burdened them with a morality above their condition and prospects. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Xodar was burdened with the boy, and I with the three long-swords. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- They are overconscious, burdened to death with consciousness. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- What now the value of burdening my friends with my added personal sorrows--they had shared quite enough of them with me in the past. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
Edited by Eva