unenˈcumbered, ppl. a.
Also 8–9 unin-.
(un-1 8.) a. In pred. use and const. with or by.
| α 1722 De Foe Plague (1754) 22 Such People as were unincumbred with Trades and Business. 1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Hist. Ind. 13/2 His forces now consisting of light horse only, unincumbered by artillery or heavy baggage. 1877 Mrs. Oliphant Makers Flor. iv. 117 He is unincumbered by any restrictions. |
| β 1727 Thomson Britannia 208 Unencumber'd with the Bulk immense Of Conquest. 1822 Scott Nigel x, His address was gallant, free, and unencumbered either by pride or ceremony. 1866 Geo. Eliot F. Holt iv, His small legs, unencumbered by any other drapery than his black silk stockings. |
b. Without
const., in predicative or
attrib. use.
| c 1725 Somerville Martial's Epigr. xlvii. 6 An estate,..unincumber'd left, and free from debt. 1781 Cowper Truth 22 Heav'n's easy, artless, unincumber'd plan. 1818 Syd. Smith Wks. (1867) I. 235 This seems a very spirited, unincumbered way of passing through life. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. I. xvi. 188 My first impulse was to move..with an unencumbered party. 1884 Sir E. Fry in Law Rep. 25 Ch. Div. 581 Jeffery was the unencumbered lessee..of all the other plots. |
Hence
unenˈcumberedness.
| 1891 Atlantic Monthly Feb. 182/2 To step jauntily along in airy unencumberedness. |