Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • See disburden.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb Archaic To disburden; to relieve of a load.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb obsolete disburden

Etymologies

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Examples

  • I can account now how it comes about that lovers, when their mistresses are cruel, run into solitude, and disburthen their minds to stocks and stones: For am I not forced to make my complaints to thee?

    Clarissa Harlowe 2006

  • Never did poor prisoner long for deliverance, more than I have longed for an opportunity to disburthen my cares into your friendly bosom; and the occasion which now presents itself, is little less than miraculous — Honest Saunders Macawly, the travelling

    The Expedition of Humphry Clinker 2004

  • The reader might also raise a skeptical eyebrow when the poet proceeds to describe the singing nightingale as "disburthen [ing]" his "full soul" in an expressive activity analogous to the actions of Coleridge's own proper poet, who similarly "surrender [s] his whole spirit" (48, 29).

    'Sweet Influences': Human/Animal Difference and Social Cohesion in Wordsworth and Coleridge, 1794-1806 2001

  • As these passing-places consist only of narrow slips of ground, on each side of which are dangerous holes; and as fording rivers in the night is at all times an unpleasant task, I determined before we entered the water, to disburthen the men as much as possible; that in case of stepping wrong every one might be as ready, as circumstances would admit, to recover himself.

    The Settlement at Port Jackson 2003

  • Our boat was then allowed to approach the landing and disburthen itself of the gifts.

    Captain Canot or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver Theodore Canot

  • William being then in Normandie, reteined a great power of French soldiers, both archers and footmen which togither with his Normans he brought ouer into England in haruest season, and meaning to disburthen himselfe of the charge of their keeping, he caused their finding and wages to be borne by the lords and peeres of the realme, by the shirifs of shires, and other officers.

    Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (2 of 6) England (1 of 12) William the Conqueror Raphael Holinshed

  • So that you need not wonder much, if you see the greatest part of women (tho they trick themselves never so finely up) can hardly get husbands; and their Parents are fain at last to give a good sum of mony with them, that they may disburthen themselves of them.

    The Ten Pleasures of Marriage and the Second Part, The Confession of the New Married Couple A. Marsh

  • When we have new perception we shall gladly disburthen the memory of the hoarded treasures as old rubbish.

    Leaves of Life For Daily Inspiration Margaret Bird Steinmetz

  • With the air of a subordinate grieved at the necessity of being a messenger of ill tidings, and while conscientiously determined to be frank, yet equally resolved upon shunning overstatement, Claggart, at this invitation or rather summons to disburthen, spoke up.

    Billy Budd 1924

  • General prest him to confesse and there was a doctor of the Sorbon who was a counsellr of the Castelet there likewise to exhort him to disburthen his mind of any thing which might be upon it.

    The Lock and Key Library The most interesting stories of all nations: Real life Arthur Cheney Train 1910

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  • I can account now, how it comes about that lovers, when their mistresses are cruel, run into solitude, and disburthen their minds to stocks and stones: for am I not forced to make my complaints to thee?

    Lovelace to Belford, Clarissa by Samuel Richardson

    December 20, 2007