INCUM'BENT, adjective [Latin incumbens, incumbo; in and cumbo, to lie down.] 1. Lying or resting on. And when to move th'incumbent load they try. 2. Supported; buoyed up. And fly incumbent on the dusky air. 3. Leaning on, or resting against; as incumbent stamens or anthers, in botany. 4. Lying on, as duty or obligation; imposed and emphatically urging or pressing to performance; indispensable. All men, truly zealous, will perform those good works which are incumbent on all christians. INCUM'BENT, noun The person who is in present possession of a benefice, or of any office. [It is applied to civil officers as well as to ecclesiastical.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI