- incumbent (n.)
- c.1410, from M.L. incumbentem (nom. incumbens) "holder of a church position," from prp. of incumbere "to obtain or possess," from L. incumbere "recline on, apply oneself to," from in- "on" + -combere "lie down," related to cubare "lie." Extended to holders of any office from 1672. As an adj., first recorded 1567, in relation to duties or obligations; the lit., physical sense is rare in Eng. and first attested 1624.