*hamper*

n. [ F. champarteur a divider of fields or field rent. See Champerty. ] (Law) One guilty of champerty; one who purchases a suit, or the right of suing, and carries it on at his own expense, in order to obtain a share of the gain. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. champart field rent, L. campipars; champ (L. campus) field + part (L. pars) share. ] 1. Partnership in power; equal share of authority. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Beauté ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardyness,
Ne may with Venus holde champartye. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) The prosecution or defense of a suit, whether by furnishing money or personal services, by one who has no legitimate concern therein, in consideration of an agreement that he shall receive, in the event of success, a share of the matter in suit; maintenance with the addition of an agreement to divide the thing in suit. See Maintenance. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ By many authorities champerty is defined as an agreement of this nature. From early times the offence of champerty has been forbidden and punishable. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Hampered p. pr. & vb. n. Hampering. ] To put in a hamper. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

A lion hampered in a net. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

They hamper and entangle our souls. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Hamper to shackle. ] 1. A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes. W. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times. Ham. Nav. Encyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Top hamper (Naut.), unnecessary spars and rigging kept aloft. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. main hand (see Main a hand at dice) + E. hamper. ] A hamper to be carried in the hand; a hand basket used in carrying grapes to the press. [ 1913 Webster ]