encumbrance

encumbrance

Pronunciation: ⁄ɪnˈkʌmbr(ə)ns, ɛn-⁄

noun

·              an impediment or burden:

the horse raised its hind leg as if to rid itself of an encumbrance[mass noun]:for parents, childhood is too long a period of encumbrance

·    Law a mortgage or other claim on property or assets:

details of encumbrances on property

·    archaic a person, especially a child, who is dependent on someone else for support.