† enˈcumbrous, a. Obs.
Forms: α. 4 encoumberous, 4–5 encomb(e)rous(e, 6– encumbrous. Also β. 4 incombrous.
[a. OF. encombros, f. encombre: see encumber n. and -ous.]
Cumbersome, distressing, troublesome.
| c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame 862 Harde langage..ys encombrouse for to here. c 1392 ― Compl. Venus 42 But ful encoumberous [v.r. encombrous] is þe vsing. 1413 Lydg. Pilgr. Sowle ii. xliv. (1859) 50 The mooste encomberous melodye that euer I herde byfore. 1694 Strype Cranmer ii. iii. note (D.), To avoid many encumbrous arguments. |