Part 5729

<i>Donne.</i>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>The state of holding a benefice; the full possession and exercise of any office.</def>

<blockquote>These fines are only to be paid to the bishop during his <b>incumbency</b>. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Incumbent</h1> <Xpage=749>

<hw>In*cum"bent</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>incumbens</ets>, <ets>-entis</ets>, p. pr. of <ets>incumbere</ets> to lie down upon, press upon; pref. <ets>in-</ets> in, on + <ets>cumbere</ets> (in comp.); akin to <ets>cubare</ets> to lie down. See <er>Incubate</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Lying; resting; reclining; recumbent; superimposed; superincumbent.</def>

<blockquote>Two <b>incumbent</b> figures, gracefully leaning upon it. <i>Sir H. Wotton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>To move the <b>incumbent</b> load they try. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Lying, resting, or imposed, as a duty or obligation; obligatory; always with <i>on</i> or <i>upon</i>.</def>

<blockquote>All men, truly zealous, will perform those good works that are <b>incumbent</b> on all Christians. <i>Sprat.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Bot.)</fld> <def>Leaning or resting; -- said of anthers when lying on the inner side of the filament, or of cotyledons when the radicle lies against the back of one of them.</def>

<i>Gray.</i>

<p><b>4.</b> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>Bent downwards so that the ends touch, or rest on, something else; <as>as, the <ex>incumbent</ex> toe of a bird</as>.</def>

<h1>Incumbent</h1> <Xpage=749>

<hw>In*cum"bent</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A person who is in present possession of a benefice or of any office.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>incumbent</b> lieth at the mercy of his patron. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Incumbently</h1> <Xpage=749>

<hw>In*cum"bent*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In an incumbent manner; so as to be incumbent.</def>

<h1>Incumber</h1> <Xpage=749>

<hw>In*cum"ber</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Incumbered</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Incumbering</er>.]</wordforms> <def>See <er>Encumber</er>.</def>

<h1>Incumbition</h1> <Xpage=749>

<hw>In`cum*bi"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Incubation.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Sterne.</i>

<h1>Incumbrance</h1> <Xpage=749>

<hw>In*cum"brance</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[See <er>Encumbrance</er>.]</ety> <altsp>[Written also <asp>encumbrance</asp>.]</altsp>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>A burdensome and troublesome load; anything that impedes motion or action, or renders it difficult or laborious; clog; impediment; hindrance; check.</def>

<i>Cowper.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Law)</fld> <def>A burden or charge upon property; a claim or lien upon an estate, which may diminish its value.</def>