incumbent

views updated Jun 11 2018

in·cum·bent / inˈkəmbənt/ • adj. 1. (incumbent on/upon) necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility: it is incumbent on all decent people to concentrate on destroying this evil.2. (of an official or regime) currently holding office: the incumbent president had been defeated.• n. the holder of an office or post.

incumbent

views updated Jun 27 2018

incumbent falling as a duty or obligation XVI; leaning or resting with its weight XVII. — prp. of L. incumbere lie or lean upon, apply oneself to, f. IN-1 + *cumbere, f. nasalized stem corr. to cubāre (cf. CUBICLE); see -ENT. The sb. use of ‘holder of an ecclesiastical benefice’ (XV) is peculiarly Eng.

Incumbent

views updated May 23 2018

INCUMBENT

An individual who is in current possession of a particular office and who is legally authorized to discharge the duties of that office.

incumbent

views updated May 29 2018

incumbent Resting, or leaning upon a support.