\Cum"ber\ (k?m"b?r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cumbered}
(-b?rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Cumbering}.] [OE. combren,
cumbren,OF. combrer to hinder, from LL. cumbrus a heap, fr.
L. cumulus; cf. Skr. ?? to increase, grow strong. Cf.
{Cumulate}.]
To rest upon as a troublesome or useless weight or load; to
be burdensome or oppressive to; to hinder or embarrass in
attaining an object, to obstruct or occupy uselessly; to
embarrass; to trouble.
      Why asks he what avails him not in fight, And would but
      cumber and retard his flight?            --Dryden.
      Martha was cumbered about much serving.  --Luke x. 40.
      Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? -- Luke xiii.
                                               7.
      The multiplying variety of arguments, especially
      frivolous ones, . . . but cumbers the memory. --Locke.

\Cum"ber\ (k?m"b?r), n. [Cf. encombre hindrance,
impediment. See Cuber,v.]
Trouble; embarrassment; distress. [Obs.] [Written also
{comber}.]
      A place of much distraction and cumber.  -- Sir H.
                                               Wotton.
      Sage counsel in cumber.                  --Sir W.
                                               Scott.