hamper
verb
- obstruct, hinder
noun
- type of basket
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈhæm.pə/ / /ˈham.pə/ / /ˈhæm.pɚ/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English hamperen, hampren (“to hamper, oppress”), probably of the same origin as English hamble (“to limp”), Scots hamp (“to halt in walking, stutter”), Dutch haperen (“to falter, hesitate”), German hemmen (“to stop, hinder, check”). More at hamble.
- A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes.
- Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times.
“One afternoon there was a mighty queer noise aloft, which set the men running in every direction. It was the main-t'-gallant-mast. Crash! it broke off just above the cap, and held there by the rigging, dashed with every roll from side to side, with all the hamper that belonged to it.”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English hamperen, hampren (“to hamper, oppress”), probably of the same origin as English hamble (“to limp”), Scots hamp (“to halt in walking, stutter”), Dutch haperen (“to falter, hesitate”), German hemmen (“to stop, hinder, check”). More at hamble.
- To put a hamper or fetter on; to shackle.
“Near-synonym: hobble”
“Wife. Away George, away, raise the watch at Ludgate, and bring a Mittimus from the Iustice for this desperate villaine. Now I charge you Gentlemen, see the Kings peace kept. O my heart what a varlet's this to offer manslaughter vpon the harmlesse Gntlewoman? Cit. I warrant thee (sweet heart) wee'l haue him hampered.”
- To impede in motion or progress.
“Engend'ring heats, these one by one unbind, Stretch their small tubes, and hamper'd nerves unwind.”
“They hamper and entangle our souls.”