Ham"per, n. [See Hamper to
shackle.] 1. A shackle; a fetter; anything which
impedes. W. Browne.
2. (Naut.) Articles ordinarily
indispensable, but in the way at certain times. Ham. Nav.
Encyc.
Top hamper (Naut.), unnecessary spars
and rigging kept aloft.
Ham"per, v. t. [OE. hamperen,
hampren, prob. of the same origin as E. hamble.]
To put a hamper or fetter on; to shackle; to insnare; to
inveigle; to entangle; hence, to impede in motion or progress; to
embarrass; to encumber. "Hampered nerves."
Blackmore.
A lion hampered in a net.
L'Estrange.
They hamper and entangle our
souls.
Tillotson.Ham"per, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Hampered (-pẽrd); p. pr. & vb.
n. Hampering.] To put in a hamper.
Ham"per (hăm"pẽr), n.
[Contr. fr. hanaper.] A large basket, usually with a
cover, used for the packing and carrying of articles; as, a
hamper of wine; a clothes hamper; an oyster
hamper, which contains two bushels.