hamper: Meaning and Definition of

ham•per

Pronunciation: (ham'pur), [key]
— v.t.
  1. to hold back; hinder; impede: A steady rain hampered the progress of the work.
  2. to interfere with; curtail: The dancers' movements were hampered by their elaborate costumes.
—n.
  1. gear that, although necessary to the operations of a vessel, is sometimes in the way.

ham•per

Pronunciation: (ham'pur), [key]
— n.
  1. a large basket or wickerwork receptacle, usually with a cover: picnic hamper; clothes hamper.
  2. such a basket together with its contents, esp. food.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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