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impediment

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
im·ped·i·ment  (m-pd-mnt)
n.
1. Something that impedes; a hindrance or obstruction. See Synonyms at obstacle.
2. An organic defect preventing clear articulation: a speech impediment.
3. Law Something that obstructs the making of a legal contract.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin impedmentum, from impedre, to impede; see impede.]

im·pedi·mental (-mntl), im·pedi·menta·ry (-mnt-r) adj.

impediment [ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt]
n
1. a hindrance or obstruction
2. a physical defect, esp one of speech, such as a stammer
3. (Law) pl -ments, -menta [-ˈmɛntə] Law an obstruction to the making of a contract, esp a contract of marriage by reason of closeness of blood or affinity
impedimental , impedimentary adj
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.impediment - something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
difficulty - a factor causing trouble in achieving a positive result or tending to produce a negative result; "serious difficulties were encountered in obtaining a pure reagent"
albatross, millstone - (figurative) something that hinders or handicaps; "she was an albatross around his neck"
bind - something that hinders as if with bonds
diriment impediment - (canon law) an impediment that invalidates a marriage (such as the existence of a prior marriage)
drag - something that slows or delays progress; "taxation is a drag on the economy"; "too many laws are a drag on the use of new land"
obstacle, obstruction - something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted; "lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement"; "the poverty of a district is an obstacle to good education"; "the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan"
straitjacket - anything immaterial that severely hinders or confines; "they defected because Russian dance was in a straitjacket"; "the government is operating in an economic straitjacket"
2.impedimentimpediment - any structure that makes progress difficult
bar - an obstruction (usually metal) placed at the top of a goal; "it was an excellent kick but the ball hit the bar"
barrier - a structure or object that impedes free movement
blockade - prevents access or progress
blockage, stoppage, occlusion, closure, block, stop - an obstruction in a pipe or tube; "we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe"
hinderance, hindrance, preventative, preventive, encumbrance, incumbrance, interference, hitch - any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
obstacle - an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)
structure, construction - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; "the structure consisted of a series of arches"; "she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons"
tumbler - a movable obstruction in a lock that must be adjusted to a given position (as by a key) before the bolt can be thrown

impediment
noun obstacle, barrier, check, bar, block, difficulty, hazard, curb, snag, obstruction, stumbling block, hindrance, encumbrance, fly in the ointment, millstone around your neck There is no legal impediment to the marriage.
support, benefit, aid, advantage, relief, assistance, encouragement
Translations
impediment [ɪmˈpedɪmənt] N
1. (= obstacle) → obstáculo m, impedimento m (to para) (Jur) → impedimento m (to para)
2. (Med) → defecto m
speech impedimentdefecto m del habla
impediment [ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt] nentrave m
to be an impediment to sth → être une entrave à qch
The new taxes were a major impediment to economic growth → Les nouveaux impôts constituaient une importante entrave à la croissance économique.
The current level of rates was not an impediment to economic recovery → Le niveau actuel des taux ne constitue pas une entrave à la reprise de l'économie. speech impediment
impediment
n
Hindernis nt
(Med) → Behinderung f; speech impedimentSprachfehler m, → Sprachstörung f
impediment [ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt] n
a. (obstacle) → ostacolo
b. (Law) → impedimento
c. (Med) → difetto
speech impediment → difetto di pronuncia

impediment [ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt] n
a. (obstacle) → ostacolo
b. (Law) → impedimento
c. (Med) → difetto
speech impediment → difetto di pronuncia


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Challenger, who, being satisfied that no criticism or comment in this book is meant in an offensive spirit, has guaranteed that he will place no impediment to its publication and circulation.
The growing crowd, he said, was becoming a serious impediment to their excavations, especially the boys.
By this time the gentleman in the front seat, who had been addressed as Monsieur Le Quoi, had arisen with some difficulty, owing to the impediment of his overcoats, and steadying himself by placing one hand on the stool of the charioteer, with the other he removed his cap, and bowing politely to the Judge and profoundly to Elizabeth, he paid his compliments.
 
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