hamper Meaning, Definition & Usage

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

WordNet

Ham"per noun
Etymology
Contr. fr. hanaper.
Definitions
  1. 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.
Ham"per transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Hampered ; present participle & verbal noun Hampering
Definitions
  1. To put in a hamper.
Ham"per transitive verb
Etymology
OE. hamperen, hampren, prob. of the same origin as E. hamble.
Definitions
  1. 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.
Ham"per noun
Etymology
See Hamper to shackle.
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913