Collins English-English Dictionary

burden ['b3ːd^ən]

1. 1. n something that is carried; load

2. 2. n something that is exacting, oppressive, or difficult to bear

   the burden of responsibility

3. 3. n [nautical] the cargo capacity of a ship

4. 4. n the weight of a ship's cargo

5. 5. vt. [tr] [sometimes foll by up] to put or impose a burden on; load

6. 6. vt. to weigh down; oppress

   the old woman was burdened with cares

7. 7. vt. [Etymology] Old English byrthen; related to beran to bear¹, Old Frisian berthene burden, Old High German burdin

burden ['b3ːd^ən]

1. 1. n a line of words recurring at the end of each verse of a ballad or similar song; chorus or refrain

2. 2. n the principal or recurrent theme of a speech, book, etc

3. 3. n another word for bourdon

4. 4. n [Etymology] C16: from Old French bourdon bass horn, droning sound, of imitative origin