bur´den|less

bur|den¹ «BUR duhn noun, verb.

–n.

1. something carried; a load (of things, care, work, duty, or sorrow): »

A light burden of cork was loaded on the old mule's back. Figurative. We have to carry each day's burden.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under load. (Cf. ↑load)

2. a load too heavy to carry easily; heavy load: »

Figurative. His debts are a burden that will ruin him.

SYNONYM(S): weight, encumbrance.

3. the quantity of freight that a ship can carry; weight of a ship's cargo.

–v.t.

1. to put a burden on; load: »

The mule was burdened with the campers' supplies.

2. to load too heavily; weigh down; oppress: »

Figurative. The President is burdened with responsibility for decisions which may affect the whole world.

╂[Old English byrthen. See related etym. at bear². (Cf. ↑bear)]

–bur´den|less, adjective.

bur|den² «BUR duhn», noun.

1. the main idea or message: »

The way to achieve peace was the burden of the President's speech.

SYNONYM(S): gist.

2. a repeated verse in a song; chorus; refrain.

3. Obsolete. the bass undersong or accompaniment, especially on a bagpipe; bourdon.

╂[< Old French bourdon a humming; the drone of a bagpipe < Medieval Latin burdo, -onis pipe. See etym. of doublet bourdon. (Cf. ↑bourdon)]