burden

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an onerous or difficult concern
  2. noun weight to be borne or conveyed
  3. noun the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English burden, birden, burthen, birthen, byrthen, from Old English byrden, byrþen, from Proto-West Germanic *burþini, from *burþī, from Proto-Germanic *burþį̄, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (“to carry, bear”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

load, encumbrance, incumbrance, onus

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