hamper

noun

1. A large basket, usually with a cover, used for the packing and carrying of articles or small animals.

   “a hamper of wine”

   “a clothes hamper”

   “an oyster hamper, which contains two bushels”

2. (US)A wicker or plastic basket specifically for holding laundry (from clothes hamper).
3. (UK)A gift basket.
4. A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes.
5. Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times.

   “One afternoon there was a mighty queer noise aloft, which set the men running in every direction. It was the main-t'-gallant-mast. Crash! it broke off just above the cap, and held there by the rigging, dashed with every roll from side to side, with all the hamper that belonged to it.”

verb

1. (transitive)To put into a hamper.

   “Competition pigeons are hampered for the truck trip to the point of release where the race back starts.”

2. (transitive)To put a hamper or fetter on; to shackle.

   “Near-synonym: hobble”

   “Wife. Away George, away, raise the watch at Ludgate, and bring a Mittimus from the Iustice for this desperate villaine. Now I charge you Gentlemen, see the Kings peace kept. O my heart what a varlet's this to offer manslaughter vpon the harmlesse Gntlewoman? Cit. I warrant thee (sweet heart) wee'l haue him hampered.”

   “A lion hampered in a net.”

3. To impede in motion or progress.

   “Engend'ring heats, these one by one unbind, Stretch their small tubes, and hamper'd nerves unwind.”

   “They hamper and entangle our souls.”

   “NR Senior Programme Manager Adrian Elliott describes the progress to date: "The weather has played a big part in hampering the programme. We had the wettest autumn ever and a number of winter storms to contend with, [...]”