BURTHEN • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Burthen

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noun

Burden n. (Written also burthen)

1.

That which is borne or carried; a load. "Plants with goodly burden bowing."

2.

That which is borne with labor or difficulty; that which is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive. "Deaf, giddy, helpless, left alone, To all my friends a burden grown."

3.

The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she will carry; as, a ship of a hundred tons burden.

4.

(Mining) The tops or heads of stream-work which lie over the stream of tin.

5.

(Metal.) The proportion of ore and flux to fuel, in the charge of a blast furnace.

6.

A fixed quantity of certain commodities; as, a burden of gad steel, 120 pounds.

7.

A birth. (Obs. & R.)

Beast of burden, an animal employed in carrying burdens.

Burden of proof (Law), the duty of proving a particular position in a court of law, a failure in the performance of which duty calls for judgment against the party on whom the duty is imposed.

Synonyms: Burden, Load. A burden is, in the literal sense, a weight to be borne; a load is something laid upon us to be carried. Hence, when used figuratively, there is usually a difference between the two words. Our burdens may be of such a nature that we feel bound to bear them cheerfully or without complaint. They may arise from the nature of our situation; they may be allotments of Providence; they may be the consequences of our errors. What is upon us, as a load, we commonly carry with greater reluctance or sense of oppression. Men often find the charge of their own families to be a burden; but if to this be added a load of care for others, the pressure is usually serve and irksome.

Burthen n., v. t. See Burden. (Archaic)

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Etymology of 'Burthen'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Burthen" Quotes from Famous Books

... receiving such reinforcements as might come from Spain or from any of the American colonies; as every one coming by land from these quarters must necessarily pass by the way of San Miguel, especially if accompanied by horses or beasts of burthen. He expected therefore to be able in this place to collect reinforcements to his army, so as to be in condition to renew the war, and employed himself to collect men, horses, and arms, so that he was soon at the head of five hundred men, tolerably ...

— A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. 5 • Robert Kerr

... this we pray in vain, Unless He does in our affections reign. How fond it were to wish for such a King, And no obedience to his sceptre bring, Whose yoke is easy, and His burthen light; His service freedom, ...

— Many Thoughts of Many Minds - A Treasury of Quotations from the Literature of Every Land and Every Age • Various

... extended and maintained; that a canal of communication between the arsenal of Venice and the Pass of Mala-Mocco should be dug; and finally that this passage itself should be cleared and deepened sufficiently for vessels of the line of seventy-four tons burthen to ...

— The Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte • Bourrienne, Constant, and Stewarton

... from these lofty thoughts I woke, 'What is it?' said I, 'that you bear Beneath the covert of your cloak, Protected from this cold damp air?' She answered, soon as she the question heard, 'A simple burthen, Sir, ...

— The Children's Garland from the Best Poets • Various

... distance it might have attained. Paramatta is built along a small fresh-water stream, which falls into the harbour of Port Jackson, at the very head of which the town is seated. For the last few miles the harbour is navigable only for boats of twelve or fifteen tons burthen. The town consists chiefly of one long street, and being backed by a ridge of hills, it has a pleasing appearance, especially from the Sydney road, where it breaks suddenly upon the view. The population ...

— Australia, its history and present condition • William Pridden

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