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.
  burdened
       adj 1: bearing a heavy burden of work or difficulties or
              responsibilities; "she always felt burdened by the
              load of paper work" [ant: unburdened]
       2: bearing a physically heavy weight or load; "tree limbs
          burdened with ice"; "a heavy-laden cart"; "loaded down
          with packages" [syn: heavy-laden, loaded down]