obstacle, impediment

obstacle, impediment
Each of these words refers to something that prevents, or interferes with, progress or action. An obstacle is anything that stands in the way of literal or figurative progress: "Lack of money was an obstacle to this medical student." "A roadblock was set up as an obstacle to the fleeing criminals." Impediment (from Latin words meaning "to snare" or "to weigh down" one's feet) is something that interferes with proper functioning or acting: "Stammering is a speech impediment." An impediment hinders or slows down rather than stops, obstructs, or prevents.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • obstacle — [äb′stə kəl] n. [OFr < L obstaculum, obstacle < obstare, to withstand < ob (see OB ) + stare, to STAND] anything that gets in the way or hinders; impediment; obstruction; hindrance SYN. OBSTACLE is used of anything which literally or… …   English World dictionary

  • impediment — See obstacle. See obstacle, impediment …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • obstacle — See obstacle, impediment …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • obstacle — obstacle, obstruction, impediment, bar, snag denote something which seriously hampers action or progress. Obstacle, which is used of both material and immaterial things, applies to an object, condition, or situation which stands in one s way and… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 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]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Impediment in speech — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • impediment — im·ped·i·ment /im pe də mənt/ n: something that prevents or interferes with a process, power, or right should have known of the legal impediment s to the execution of any judgment against the police jury Penalber v. Blount, 550 So. 2d 577 (1989); …   Law dictionary

  • Obstacle — Ob sta*cle, n. [F., fr. L. obstaculum, fr. obstare to withstand, oppose; ob (see {Ob }) + stare to stand. See {Stand}. and cf. {Oust}, v.] That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • obstacle — I noun arrest, balk, barricade, barrier, block, bridle, catch, check, constraint, curb, dam, delay, detainment, difficulty, disallowance, drawback, embargo, enjoining, estoppel, fence, forbiddance, hamper, handicap, hindrance, hurdle, impediment …   Law dictionary

  • impediment — *obstacle, obstruction, bar, snag Analogous words: *difficulty, hardship, rigor, vicissitude: barrier, *bar: handicap (see ADVANTAGE 1) Antonyms: aid, assistance: advantage (sense 1) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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