Impediment

n. [Lat. impedimentum, It., Sp., & Pg. impedimento, Pr. impedimen, empedimen, Fr. impédiment.] That which impedes or hinders progress or motion; hinderance; obstruction; obstacle.

Thus far into the bowels of the land. Have we marched on without impediment. Shak.

Impediment in speech, a defect which prevents distinct utterance.

Synonyms— Hinderance; obstruction; obstacle; difficulty. — IMPEDIMENT, OBSTACLE, DIFFICULTY, HINDERANCE. An impediment literally strikes against our feet, checking our progress, and we remove it. An obstacle rises up before us in our path, and we surmount it. A difficulty sets before us something hard to be done, and we encounter it and overcome it. A hinderance holds us back for a time, but we break away from it.

May I never To this good purpose, that so fairly shows, Dream of impediment. Shak.

Conscience is a blushing, shame-faced spirit, That mutinies in a man’s bosom: it fills One full of obstacles. Shak.

Thus, by degrees, he rose to Jove’s imperial seat: Thus difficulties prove a soul legitimately great. Dryden.