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 ]

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 ]

adv. In an incumbent manner; so as to be incumbent. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. superincumbens, p. pr. of superincumbere. See Super-, and Incumbent. ] Lying or resting on something else. [ 1913 Webster ]