— difficultly , adv.
/dif"i kult', -keuhlt/ , adj.
1. not easily or readily done; requiring much labor, skill, or planning to be performed successfully; hard: a difficult job.
2. hard to understand or solve: a difficult problem.
3. hard to deal with or get on with: a difficult pupil.
4. hard to please or satisfy: a difficult employer.
5. hard to persuade or induce; stubborn: a difficult old man.
6. disadvantageous; trying; hampering: The operation was performed under the most difficult conditions.
7. fraught with hardship, esp. financial hardship: We saw some difficult times during the depression years.
[ 1350-1400; ME, back formation from DIFFICULTY ]
Syn. 1. arduous. See hard. 2. intricate, perplexing, involved, knotty. 4. particular, finical, fussy. 5. obdurate, uncompromising.
Ant. 1. easy. 2. simple.