burden

bur|den1 [ `bɜrdn ] noun count **

1. ) usually singular a serious or difficult responsibility that you have to deal with:

Unemployment places a heavy burden on the welfare state.

burden of: Men say they are willing to share the burden of domestic work.

shoulder/carry the burden (=deal with it): When an elderly relative becomes ill, you should not have to shoulder the burden alone.

burden of responsibility/care: An attempt was made to shift the burden of care from hospitals to the local community.

a ) the responsibility of paying an amount of money, especially when this is considered too much:

These proposals would only increase the tax burden on business.

burden of: a huge burden of debt

2. ) usually singular a negative feeling that is difficult to deal with and that you cannot get rid of:

He will always carry a burden of guilt for what happened.

3. ) LITERARY something heavy that you have to carry

the burden of proof LEGAL

the responsibility of proving that something is true in a court of law:

In a criminal trial, the burden of proof lies with the prosecutor.

=> BEAST OF BURDEN

burden

bur|den 2 [ `bɜrdn ] verb transitive often passive

to create a problem or serious responsibility for someone:

He was increasingly burdened by ill health.

burden someone with something: I don't want to burden you with my troubles.

be burdened with something LITERARY

to be carrying something heavy