Search Result for "incumbent": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. the official who holds an office;
[syn: incumbent, officeholder]


ADJECTIVE (3)

1. lying or leaning on something else;
- Example: "an incumbent geological formation"

2. necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility; morally binding;
- Example: "it is incumbent on them to pay their own debts"

3. currently holding an office;
- Example: "the incumbent governor"



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Incumbent \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.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Lying; resting; reclining; recumbent; superimposed;
      superincumbent.
      [1913 Webster]

            Two incumbent figures, gracefully leaning upon it.
                                                  --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.
      [1913 Webster]

            To move the incumbent load they try.  --Addison.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Lying, resting, or imposed, as a duty or obligation;
      obligatory; always with on or upon.
      [1913 Webster]

            All men, truly zealous, will perform those good
            works that are incumbent on all Christians. --Sprat.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Zool.) Bent downwards so that the ends touch, or rest on,
      something else; as, the incumbent toe of a bird.
      [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Incumbent \In*cum"bent\, n.
   A person who is in present possession of a benefice or of any
   office.
   [1913 Webster]

         The incumbent lieth at the mercy of his patron.
                                                  --Swift.
   [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

incumbent
    adj 1: lying or leaning on something else; "an incumbent
           geological formation"
    2: necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility; morally
       binding; "it is incumbent on them to pay their own debts"
    3: currently holding an office; "the incumbent governor"
    n 1: the official who holds an office [syn: incumbent,
         officeholder]


The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

INCUMBENT, n.  A person of the liveliest interest to the outcumbents.