n.
- a heavy load.
- a cause of hardship, worry, or grief.
▸the main responsibility for a task.
- a ship's carrying capacity.
- the main theme of a speech, book, or argument.
- archaic the refrain or chorus of a song.
v.
- load heavily.
- cause worry, hardship, or grief to.
Phrase
- burden of proof
the obligation to prove an assertion.
Derivative
Etymology
OE byrthen, of W. Gmc origin; rel. to bear1.