Ham"per (hăm"p&etilde;r), 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.

Ham"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hampered (-p&etilde;rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Hampering.] To put in a hamper.

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.

They hamper and entangle our souls.

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.

• 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.
  
• To put in a hamper.
  
• To put a hamper or fetter on; to shackle; to ensnare; to inveigle; hence, to impede in motion or progress; to embarrass; to encumber.
       Quotations
       *Hampered nerves. - Blackmore
       *A lion hampered in a net. - L'Estrange
       *They hamper and entangle our souls. - Tillotson
  
• A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes. - W. Browne
  
• (Nautical) Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times. - Ham. Nav. Encyc.