1. (n.) That which encumbers; a burden which impedes action, or renders it difficult and laborious; a clog; an impediment. See Incumbrance.

2. (n.) Same as Incumbrance.

affliction albatross bale bitter cup bitter draft bitter draught bitter pill burden burden of care burdening burthen cankerworm of care care cargo charge charging client clog cross crown of thorns cumber cumbrance curse deadweight dependent difficulty disadvantage distress drag embarrassment freight gall gall and wormwood grievance hamper handicap hardship hindrance impedance impediment impedimenta imposition inconvenience incubus incumbency infliction lading liability load loading lumber millstone obstacle obstruction onus oppression overload overtaxing overweighting pack pack of troubles peck of troubles penalty pensionary pensioner pressure protege public charge saddling sea of troubles sorrow superincumbency surcharge taxing thorn trouble ward waters of bitterness weight white elephant woe