Etymologically
Log in

hamper

Etymology and origin of the English word hamper

History Permalink

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈhæm.pə/ (UK); /ˈhæm.pɚ/ (US)[1]

Etymology

The verb is inherited from Middle English hampren (“to surround, confine”),[2][3][4][5][6] of uncertain origin,[3][4] possibly from the noun hamper “basket”.[3][4] Random House relates it instead to Old English hamm “enclosure” and hemm “hem”.[6] The noun “basket” is a contraction of Anglo-Norman hanaper,[2][3][4][5][6] from Old French hanepier (“case for holding a goblet”),[2][3][4][5] from hanap “goblet”,[2][3][4][5] of Germanic origin,[2][3][4][5] related to Old English hnæpp “bowl”.[3][4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The basket, as hampyr, is recorded in 1316–17,[3][4] and the verb, “to surround, confine”, before 1375.[3][4]

Semantic evolution

The verb meant to confine, to pack into a container and to impede movement.[4][7] The figurative sense of entangling with difficulties is now the common one.[7][2][5] The basket noun first meant a case for documents, utensils or food[3] and now a covered wicker basket, as for picnics or laundry.[2][5][6] A nautical noun, gear that is necessary but sometimes in the way, as in top hamper, dates from 1835.[4][7]

Timeline

  • 1316–17 – noun, a container.[3][4]
  • about 1350 – verb, to obstruct movement.[7]
  • before 1375 – to surround, imprison.[3][4]
  • 1392 – a large covered basket.[7]
  • 1835 – nautical, gear that is in the way.[7][4]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To hold back or prevent free movement or progress; to hinder or impede.

Noun

  1. A large basket, usually with a lid, as for food or laundry.
  2. (British) Such a basket with its contents, especially food, as a gift.
  3. (nautical) Necessary equipment on a ship that is sometimes in the way.

Word family

  • hamperedly
  • hamperedness
  • hamperer
  • hanaper

Usage notes

The American Heritage Dictionary groups hamper, fetter, handcuff, hobble, hog-tie, manacle, shackle and trammel as verbs meaning to restrict free movement or activity.[2] Merriam-Webster notes that hamper may imply the effect of any impeding influence.[5]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Barnhart, Robert K., ed. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, New York: HarperCollins
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b c d Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
  7. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Hamper.” Etymologically, 11 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/hamper. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·