Im*ped"i*ment (?), n. [L. impedimentum: cf. F. impediment.]
That which impedes or hinders progress, motion, activity, or effect.
Thus far into the bowels of the land
Have we marched on without impediment.
Shak.
Impediment in speech, a defect which prevents distinct utterance.
Syn. -- Hindrance; obstruction; obstacle; difficulty; incumbrance. -- 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.
The eloquence of Demosthenes was to Philip of Macedon, a difficulty to be met with his best recources, ant obstacle to his own ambition, and an impedimen in his political career.
C. J. Smith.
© Webster 1913.
Im*ped"i*ment, v. t.
To impede.
[R.]
Bp. Reynolds.
© Webster 1913.