\In*cum"bent\, 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}.]
1. Lying; resting; reclining; recumbent; superimposed;
   superincumbent.
         Two incumbent figures, gracefully leaning upon it.
                                               --Sir H.
                                               Wotton.
         To move the incumbent load they try.  --Addison.
2. Lying, resting, or imposed, as a duty or obligation;
   obligatory; always with on or upon.
         All men, truly zealous, will perform those good
         works that are incumbent on all Christians. --Sprat.
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.
4. (Zo["o]l.) Bent downwards so that the ends touch, or rest
   on, something else; as, the incumbent toe of a bird.

\In*cum"bent\, n.
A person who is in present possession of a benefice or of any
office.
      The incumbent lieth at the mercy of his patron.
                                               --Swift.