Adjacent Words

Hamper definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

HAM'PER, n. [contracted form hanaper, or from hand pannier.]
1. A large basket for conveying things to market, etc.
2. Fetters, or some instrument that shackles.
[This signification and that of the verb following indicate that this word is from hanaper, and that the latter is from the sense of interweaving twigs.]
HAM'PER, v.t. [See the Noun.] To shackle; to entangle; hence, to impede in motion or progress, or to render progress difficult.
A lion hampered in a net.
1. To ensnare; to inveigle; to catch with allurements.
2. To tangle; to render complicated.
3. To perplex; to embarrass.
Hampered by the laws.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner) [syn: shackle, bond, hamper, trammel]
2: a basket usually with a cover v
1: prevent the progress or free movement of; "He was hampered in his efforts by the bad weather"; "the imperialist nation wanted to strangle the free trade between the two small countries" [syn: hamper, halter, cramp, strangle]
2: put at a disadvantage; "The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements" [syn: handicap, hinder, hamper]

Merriam Webster's

I. transitive verb (hampered; hampering) Etymology: Middle English Date: 14th century 1. a. to restrict the movement of by bonds or obstacles ; impede b. to interfere with the operation of ; disrupt 2. a. curb, restrain b. to interfere with ; encumber Synonyms: hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting. hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence <hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate>. trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net <rules that trammel the artist's creativity>. clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering <a court system clogged by frivolous suits>. fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost <a nation fettered by an antiquated class system>. shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom <a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice> <a people manacled by tyranny>. II. noun Etymology: Middle English hamper, hanaper, literally, case to hold goblets, from Anglo-French hanaper, from hanap goblet, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hnępp bowl Date: 14th century a large basket usually with a cover for packing, storing, or transporting articles (as food or laundry)

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. 1 a large basket usu. with a hinged lid and containing food (picnic hamper). 2 Brit. a selection of food, drink, etc., for an occasion. Etymology: ME f. obs. hanaper, AF f. OF hanapier case for a goblet f. hanap goblet 2. v. & n. --v.tr. 1 prevent the free movement or activity of. 2 impede, hinder. --n. Naut. necessary but cumbersome equipment on a ship. Etymology: ME: orig. unkn.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Hamper Ham"per, n. [See Hamper to shackle.] 1. A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes. --W. Browne. 2. (Naut.) Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. Top hamper (Naut.), unnecessary spars and rigging kept aloft.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Hamper Ham"per, n. [Contr. fr. hanaper.] A large basket, usually with a cover, used for the packing and carrying of articles; as, a hamper of wine; a clothes hamper; an oyster hamper, which contains two bushels.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Hamper Ham"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hampered; p. pr. & vb. n. Hampering.] To put in a hamper.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Hamper Ham"per, v. t. [OE. hamperen, hampren, prob. of the same origin as E. hamble.] To put a hamper or fetter on; to shackle; to insnare; to inveigle; hence, to impede in motion or progress; to embarrass; to encumber. ``Hampered nerves.'' --Blackmore. A lion hampered in a net. --L'Estrange. They hamper and entangle our souls. --Tillotson.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(hampers, hampering, hampered) 1. If someone or something hampers you, they makes it difficult for you to do what you are trying to do. The bad weather hampered rescue operations... VERB: V n 2. A hamper is a basket containing food of various kinds that is given to people as a present. N-COUNT 3. A hamper is a large basket with a lid, used especially for carrying food in. N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Crate, packing, basket. 2. Fetter, shackle, clog-chain. II. v. a. Shackle, fetter, entangle, clog, encumber, restrain, hinder, impede, clog.

Moby Thesaurus

Oregon boat, anchor, bag, balk, bar, barrel, barricade, basket, bear hard upon, bilbo, bind, block, bond, bonds, bottle, box, box up, bridle, burden, burthen, camisole, can, capsule, cargo, carton, case, cask, chain, chains, charge, check, clog, collar, cramp, crate, creel, crimp, cripple, cross, cuffs, cumber, cumbrance, curb, curtail, deadweight, delay, difficulty, diminish, disadvantage, discomfit, embarrass, embarrassment, encase, enchain, encumber, encumbrance, encyst, enmesh, ensnarl, entangle, entoil, entrammel, entrap, entwine, fasten, fetter, foil, freight, frustrate, gag, gyve, gyves, halter, hamstring, handcuff, handcuffs, handicap, hinder, hobble, hobbles, hog-tie, hold up, hopple, hopples, hurdle, impede, impediment, impedimenta, imposition, inconvenience, inhibit, interfere with, involve, irons, jar, lade, lame, lash, leading strings, leash, lessen, lime, limit, load, lumber, make fast, manacle, moor, muzzle, net, obstruct, obstruction, onus, oppress, overburden, overload, overtax, overweight, pack, package, pannier, parcel, peg down, penalty, picket, pillory, pin down, pinion, pot, press down, press hard upon, prevent, punnet, put in irons, reduce, reins, rest hard upon, restrain, restraint, restraints, restrict, retard, rope, rub, sack, saddle, saddle with, secure, shackle, slow, snag, snarl, stocks, straightjacket, strait-waistcoat, straitjacket, stranglehold, strap, stumbling block, tangle, tank, tax, tether, thwart, tie, tie down, tie up, tight-fisted, tin, toil, trammel, trammels, trouble, weigh down, weigh heavy on, weigh on, weigh upon, weight, white elephant, yoke