impediment
NounSynonyms:
hindrancehinderancedeterrentbalkbaulkcheckhandicapobstructionobstructorobstructerimpedimenta
WordNet 3.0
Noun (2)
- something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progressSynonyms: hindrancehinderancedeterrentbalkbaulkcheckhandicap
- any structure that makes progress difficultSynonyms: obstructionobstructorobstructerimpedimenta
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Impediment \Im*ped"i*ment\, v. t. To impede. [R.] --Bp. Reynolds. [1913 Webster]
Impediment \Im*ped"i*ment\, n. [L. impedimentum: cf. F. impediment.] That which impedes or hinders progress, motion, activity, or effect. [1913 Webster]
Thus far into the bowels of the land Have we marched on without impediment. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Impediment in speech, a defect which prevents distinct utterance.
Syn: Hindrance; obstruction; obstacle; difficulty; incumbrance.
Usage: Impediment, Obstacle, Difficulty, Hindrance. An impediment literally strikes against our feet, checking our progress, and we remove it. An obstacle rises before us in our path, and we surmount or remove it. A difficulty sets before us something hard to be done, and we encounter it and overcome it. A hindrance holds us back for a time, but we break away from it. [1913 Webster]
The eloquence of Demosthenes was to Philip of Macedon, a difficulty to be met with his best resources, an obstacle to his own ambition, and an impediment in his political career.— C. J. Smith.[1913 Webster]