laden

/ˈleɪdn/

/ˈleɪdɪn/

Other forms: ladened; ladens

Something that is laden is weighted down by something heavy, like an apple tree that's laden with fruit.

Laden comes from the Old English word hladan, meaning "to load, heap." Think of the related word ladle, a big scoop you dip into something, such as soup or hot fudge. Laden can be a verb that describes using a ladle or otherwise filling or loading something up, like a teacher who ladens students with homework. Laden can be an adjective that describes the feeling of burden or stress from all that work.

Definitions of laden

1. adjective

   filled with a great quantity
   “table laden with food”

   synonyms: ladened, loaded

   full

   containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
2. verb

   remove with or as if with a ladle
   synonyms: lade, ladle

   types:

   slop

   ladle clumsily

   type of:

   remove, take, take away, withdraw

   remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
3. adjective

   burdened psychologically or mentally
   “laden with grief”

   synonyms: oppressed

   burdened

   bearing a heavy burden of work or difficulties or responsibilities
4. verb

   fill or place a load on
   synonyms: lade, load, load up

   types:

   load down, pack

   load with a pack

   bomb up

   load an aircraft with bombs

   overcharge, overload, surcharge

   place too much a load on

   reload

   place a new load on

   stack

   load or cover with stacks

   type of:

   fill, fill up, make full

   make full, also in a metaphorical sense