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Added 8 October 2026

hamper

/ˈhæm.pə/ noun

In Latin: impediō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about hamper at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner).
A basket usually with a cover.

verb

Prevent the progress or free movement of.
He was hampered in his efforts by the bad weather
Put at a disadvantage.
The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements

Origin

From Middle English hamper, contracted from hanaper, hanypere, from Anglo-Norman hanaper, Old French hanapier, hanepier (“case for holding a large goblet or cup”), from hanap (“goblet, drinking cup”), from Frankish *hnapp (“cup, bowl, basin”), from Proto-Germanic *hnappaz (“cup, bowl”). Cognate with Old High German hnapf (“cup, bowl, basin”) (German Napf (“bowl”)), Dutch nap (“cup”), Old English hnæpp (“bowl”). More at nap.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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