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To draw along, as something burdensome; hence, to pass in pain or with difficulty. Have dragged a lingering life. Dryden. To drag an anchor (Naut.), to trail it along the bottom when the anchor will not hold the ship.

The act of moving loads by drawing, as by beasts of burden, and the like. A general custom of using oxen for all sort of draught would be, perhaps, the greatest improvement. Sir W. Temple.

A strong low cart or carriage used for heavy burdens. Addison.

Having nothing to carry; unburdened. "An empty messenger." Shak. When ye go ye shall not go empty. Ex. iii. 21.

To impede the motion or action of, as with a burden; to retard with something superfluous; to weigh down; to obstruct or embarrass; as, his movements were encumbered by his mantle; his mind is encumbered with useless learning. Not encumbered with any notable inconvenience. Hooker.

That which encumbers; a burden which impedes action, or renders it difficult and laborious; a clog; an impediment. See Incumbrance.

use to correspond, or be like, in amount or degree as compared; as, to equalize accounts, burdens, or taxes. One poor moment can suffice To equalize the lofty and the low. Wordsworth. No system of instruction will completely equalize natural powers. Whately.

released, from some liability to which others are subject; excepted from the operation or burden of some law; released; free; clear; privileged; -- (with from): not subject to; not liable to; as, goods exempt from execution; a person exempt from jury service. True nobility is exempt from fear. Shak. T is laid on all, n…

The act of exempting; the state of being exempt; freedom from any charge, burden, evil, etc., to which others are subject; immunity; privilege; as, exemption of certain articles from seizure; exemption from military service; exemption from anxiety, suffering, etc.

To unload; to disburden; to discharge. [Obs.] All exonerate themselves into one common duct. Ray.

The act of disburdening, discharging, or freeing morally from a charge or imputation; also, the state of being disburdened or freed from a charge.

Freeing from a burden or obligation; tending to exonerate.

An Irish dance; also, the burden of a song. "Fading is a fine jig." [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

A bundle or little pack; hence, a burden. [Obs.] Shak. A fardel of never-ending misery and suspense. Marryat.

dance; plenteous; ample. Henceforth, my early care . . . Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease Of thy full branches. Milton.

food; supplying food; fruitful; fertile. "The foodful earth." Dryden. Bent by its foodful burden [the corn]. Glover.

To cease from bearing. [Obs.] Whenas my womb her burden would forbear. Spenser.

To freight; to load; to burden; to fill; to crowd. [Obs.] Upon the tumbling billows fraughted ride The armed ships. Fairfax.

ar; released; liberated; not encumbered or troubled with; as, free from pain; free from a burden; -- followed by from, or, rarely, by of. Princes declaring themselves free from the obligations of their treaties. Bp. Burnet.

ful*ness, n. Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth. Gen. i. 28. [Nature] By disburdening grows More fruitful. Milton. The great fruitfulness of the poet's fancy. Addison.