I. hin·der ˈhində(r) verb
( hindered ; hindered ; hindering -d(ə)riŋ ; hinders )
Etymology: Middle English hindren, hinderen, from Old English hindrian; akin to Old High German hintarōn to hinder, Old Norse hindra, and probably to Old English hinder behind — more at hind
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to do harm to : impair , damage
fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it — Neh 4:3 (Authorized Version)
2. : to make slow or difficult the course or progress of : retard , hamper
policies that will further or hinder the cause of independence
was greatly hindered in his efforts by bad weather
3. : to keep from occurring, starting, or continuing : hold back : prevent , check — often used with from
machines are sometimes hindered by speed from delivering their best performance — Edith Diehl
could not hinder himself from dwelling upon it — Stephen Crane
4. : to interfere with the activity of (a group or molecule of a compound) especially as a result of space relationships — compare block 1g, steric hindrance
intransitive verb
: to delay, impede, or prevent action : be a hindrance
uncertain whether it would help or hinder
Synonyms:
impede , obstruct , block , bar , dam : hinder indicates a checking or holding back from acting, moving, or starting, often with harmful or annoying delay or interference
shallow water and constantly shifting sandbars at the mouth of the Mississippi impeded navigation and hindered the full development of New Orleans as a port — American Guide Series: Louisiana
after the war German physicists maintained that the Nazis hindered research on a bomb, permitting only work toward an atomic power plant — Current Biography
impede suggests checking motion or progress by or as if by clogging or fettering so that forward activity is difficult
he looked at her, startled, and placed his hand on hers, impeding the rapidity of her embroidery needle — Rose Macaulay
action is impeded by a multitude of rules and regulations drawn up by the agency itself — E.M.Eriksson
obstruct indicates hindering free and easy passage by obstacles in the way or by interference
at some point below the Danish camp he obstructed the course of the Lea, so that the Danish ships could not be brought downstream — F.M.Stenton
charged with obstructing the military in the execution of duty — Francis Stuart
the restriction of the power of the House of Lords to obstruct legislation — Alfred Plummer
block indicates complete obstruction to egress, passage, or exit
roads blocked by the storm
the steamer Heilo, which, having run aground, was blocking the entrance to Corinto harbor — Current Biography
a polyglot of diagnostic labels and systems, effectively blocking communication and the collection of medical statistics — G.N.Raines
bar is often a close synonym for block; it may indicate a purposive blocking or suggest a prohibiting that renders a physical obstacle unnecessary
streetcars that, if not quite medieval, bar the road to the hurrying traveler — New York Times
to bar further immigration of aliens
dam may apply to obstructing whatever flows or may be thought of as flowing
dam up the waters
instances in which the bile ducts are blocked so that the bile is dammed back — Morris Fishbein
the nun in her cell lost in contemplation is but inspired by a desire which, dammed in its earthly course, rises and rises to unimaginable heights — Francis Stuart
II. hinder noun
( -s )
: accidental interference especially by an opponent in some games (as handball and squash) that prevents a fair and unobstructed chance to return a ball
III. hind·er ˈhīndə(r), dial Brit “ or ˈhində- or ˈhin(t)ə- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, probably from Old English hinder, adverb, behind — more at hind
1. : situated behind or at or in the rear : back , hind
a long oval forward part and a taillike hinder portion — R.E.Coker
2. dialect Britain : yonder
IV. hind·er ˈhīndə(r), Brit “ or ˈhində- or ˈhin(t)ə- noun
( -s )
chiefly dialect : buttocks