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.

Origin:

Middle English (denoting an encumbered state; formerly also as incumbrance): from Old French encombrance, from encombrer 'block up' (see encumber)

Spelling help

Remember that encumbrance ends with -brance.