GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 5 definitions

1.       
   Burden , n. [Written also burthen.] [OE. burden, burthen, birthen, birden, AS. byrðen; akin to Icel. byrði, Dan. byrde, Sw. börda, G. bürde, OHG. burdi, Goth. baúrþei, fr. the root of E. bear, AS. beran, Goth. bairan. √92. See 1st Bear.]
    That which is borne or carried; a load.
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   Plants with goodly burden bowing.
   Shak.
   
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   That which is borne with labor or difficulty; that which is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive.
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   Deaf, giddy, helpless, left alone,
   To all my friends a burden grown.
   Swift.
   
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   The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she will carry; as, a ship of a hundred tons burden.
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   (Mining) The tops or heads of stream-work which lie over the stream of tin.
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   (Metal.) The proportion of ore and flux to fuel, in the charge of a blast furnace.
   Raymond.
   
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   A fixed quantity of certain commodities; as, a burden of gad steel, 120 pounds.
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   A birth. [Obs. & R.]
   Shak.
   
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   Beast of burden, an animal employed in carrying burdens. -- Burden of proof [L. onus probandi] (Law), the duty of proving a particular position in a court of law, a failure in the performance of which duty calls for judgment against the party on whom the duty is imposed.
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   Syn. -- Burden, Load.  A burden is, in the literal sense, a weight to be borne; a load is something laid upon us to be carried. Hence, when used figuratively, there is usually a difference between the two words. Our burdens may be of such a nature that we feel bound to bear them cheerfully or without complaint. They may arise from the nature of our situation; they may be allotments of Providence; they may be the consequences of our errors. What is upon us, as a load, we commonly carry with greater reluctance or sense of oppression. Men often find the charge of their own families to be a burden; but if to this be added a load of care for others, the pressure is usually serve and irksome.
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2.       
   Burden, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Burdened ; p. pr. & vb. n. Burdening .]
   To encumber with weight (literal or figurative); to lay a heavy load upon; to load.
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   I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened.
   2 Cor. viii. 13.
   
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   To oppress with anything grievous or trying; to overload; as, to burden a nation with taxes.
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   My burdened heart would break.
   Shak.
   
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   To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a burden (something heavy or objectionable). [R.]
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   It is absurd to burden this act on Cromwell.
   Coleridge.
   
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   Syn. -- To load; encumber; overload; oppress.
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3.       
   Burden , n. [OE. burdoun the bass in music, F. bourdon; cf. LL. burdo drone, a long organ pipe, a staff, a mule. Prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Bourdon.]
   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.
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   I would sing my song without a burden.
   Shak.
   
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   The drone of a bagpipe.
   Ruddiman.
   
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4.       
   Burden, n. [See Burdon.] A club. [Obs.]
   Spenser.
   
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5.       
   Burdon , n. [See Bourdon.] A pilgrim's staff. [Written also burden.]
   Rom. of R.
   
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