overburden

o·ver·bur·den  (vr-bûrdn)

tr.v. o·ver·bur·dened, o·ver·bur·den·ing, o·ver·bur·dens

1. To burden with too much weight; overload.

2. To subject to an excessive burden or strain; overtax.

n. (vr-bûrdn)

1. An excessive burden; an overload.

2. Geology

a. Material overlying a useful mineral deposit.

b. Sedimentary rock covering older crystalline layers.

3. Archaeology A sterile stratum overlying a stratum bearing traces of the culture being studied.

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overburden

Verb

to have more of something than it is possible to cope with: the city's streets are already overburdened by rush-hour motorists

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	overburden - the surface soil that must be moved away to get at coal seams and mineral deposits land, soil, ground - material in the top layer of the surface of the earth in which plants can grow (especially with reference to its quality or use); "the land had never been plowed"; "good agricultural soil"
	2.	overburden - an excessive burden overload load, loading, burden - weight to be borne or conveyed
Verb	1.	overburden - burden with too much work or responsibility burden, saddle, charge - impose a task upon, assign a responsibility to; "He charged her with cleaning up all the files over the weekend"
	2.	overburden - load with excessive weight burden, burthen, weight, weight down - weight down with a load