burden
UK: ˈbɜːdn | US: ˈbɜːrdn
n. a heavy load or responsibility
vt. to load heavily or impose a responsibility
The word "burden" traces back to Old English byrthen, which originally referred to a physical load carried by a person or animal. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe emotional or societal responsibilities. The suffix "-en" is a common Germanic noun-forming element, reinforcing the concept of a "state of being loaded." The word’s evolution reflects the universal human experience of carrying both tangible and intangible weights.
The donkey struggled under the heavy burden of firewood.
She felt the burden of caring for her sick parents.
The new tax law will burden small businesses.
His guilt was a constant burden on his conscience.
The team shared the burden of completing the project on time.