BURDEN
Bur"den, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Burdened; p. pr. & vb. n. Burdening.]
1. To encumber with weight (literal or figurative); to lay a heavy load upon; to load. I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened. 2 Cor. viii. 13.
2. To oppress with anything grievous or trying; to overload; as, to burden a nation with taxes. My burdened heart would break. Shak.
3. To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a burden (something heavy or objectionable). [R.] It is absurd to burden this act on Cromwell. Coleridge.
Syn.
— To load; encumber; overload; oppress.
BURDEN Bur"den, n. Etym: [OE. burdoun the bass in music, F. bourdon; cf. LL. burdo drone, a long organ pipe, a staff, a mule. Prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Bourdon.]
1. The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme at the end of each stanza; the chorus; refrain. Hence: That which is often repeated or which is dwelt upon; the main topic; as, the burden of a prayer. I would sing my song without a burden. Shak.
2. The drone of a bagpipe. Ruddiman.
BURDEN
Bur"den, n. Etym: [See Burdon.]
Defn: A club. [Obs.] Spenser.