/ ɪmˈpedɪmənt; NAmE / noun
1.
impediment (to sth) something that delays or stops the progress of sth
SYN obstacle :
The level of inflation is a serious impediment to economic recovery.
2.
a physical problem that makes it difficult to speak normally :
a speech impediment
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin impedimentum , from impedire shackle the feet of, based on pes , ped- foot.