Main Entry: ¹bur·den

Pronunciation: \ˈbər-d^ən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English byrthen; akin to Old English beran to carry — more at bear

Date: before 12th century

1 a : something that is carried : load b : duty, responsibility
2 : something oppressive or worrisome
3 a : the bearing of a load —usually used in the phrase beast of burden b : capacity for carrying cargo <a ship of a hundred tons burden>
4 : load 11 <worm burden> <cancer burden>