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.

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 resources, an obstacle to his own ambition, and an impediment in his political career.

Im*ped"i*ment, v. t. To impede. [R.] Bp. Reynolds.

• A hindrance. That which impedes or hinders progress.