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impediment

 - 6 dictionary results

im⋅ped⋅i⋅ment

  [im-ped-uh-muhnt]
–noun
1. obstruction; hindrance; obstacle.
2. any physical defect that impedes normal or easy speech; a speech disorder.
3. Chiefly Ecclesiastical Law. a bar, usually of blood or affinity, to marriage: a diriment impediment.
4. Usually, impediments. impedimenta.
Use impediment in a Sentence
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L impedīmentum. See impede, -ment

Related forms:
im⋅ped⋅i⋅men⋅tal  [im-ped-uh-men-tl] , im⋅ped⋅i⋅men⋅ta⋅ry, adjective

Synonyms:
1. bar, encumbrance, check. See obstacle.

Antonyms:
1. help, encouragement.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To impediment
im·ped·i·ment   (ĭm-pěd'ə-mənt)   
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 impedīmentum, from impedīre, to impede; see impede.]
im·ped'i·men'tal (-měn'tl), im·ped'i·men'ta·ry (-měn'tə-rē) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

impediment 
1398, from L. impedimentem "hindrance," from impedire "impede," lit. "to shackle the feet," from in- "in" + pes (gen. pedis) "foot." Impede (1605) is first attested in Shakespeare.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: im·ped·i·ment
Pronunciation: im-'pe-d&-m&nt
Function: noun
: something that prevents or interferes with a process, power, or right impediments to the execution of any judgment against the police jury —Penalber v. Blount, 550 So. Second 577 (1989)>; specifically : a bar to the formation of a valid contract or marriage —compare NULLITY
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: im·ped·i·ment
Pronunciation: im-'ped-&-m&nt
Function: noun
: something that impedes; especially : anorganic obstruction to speech
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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impediment im·ped·i·ment (ĭm-pěd'ə-mənt)
n.

  1. Something that impedes; a hindrance or an obstruction.

  2. An organic defect preventing clear articulation of speech.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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