In*cum"bent (?), a. [L.
incumbens, -entis, p. pr. of incumbere to lie
down upon, press upon; pref. in- in, on + cumbere (in
comp.); akin to cubare to lie down. See Incubate.]
1. Lying; resting; reclining; recumbent;
superimposed; superincumbent.
Two incumbent figures, gracefully leaning upon
it.
Sir H. Wotton.
To move the incumbent load they
try.
Addison.
2. Lying, resting, or imposed, as a duty or
obligation; obligatory; always with on or
upon.
All men, truly zealous, will perform those good works
that are incumbent on all Christians.
Sprat.
3. (Bot.) 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. Gray.
4. (Zoöl.) Bent downwards so that
the ends touch, or rest on, something else; as, the incumbent
toe of a bird.
In*cum"bent, n. A person who is in
present possession of a benefice or of any office.
The incumbent lieth at the mercy of his
patron.
Swift.
