ə̇mˈpedəmənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin impedimentum, from impedire + -mentum -ment
1.
a. : the act or state of being impeded : obstruction
trying to determine where the impediments of growth lay in the life cycle
b. : something that impedes : hindrance , block
some impediment lay between him and advancement
the destruction of all impediments to love — C.D.Lewis
strove to get ahead despite all impediments in his path
especially : an organic obstruction to speech
some small impediment slowed his conversation
2. impediments plural , archaic : impedimenta
3.
a. : a bar to the formation of a contract arising out of the lack of capacity of one of the parties (as from minority or want of sufficient mental capacity)
b. : a bar or hindrance (as lack of sufficient age, lack of genuine consent) to a lawful marriage sometimes resulting in complete nullity of marriage without any decree or declaration or in the marriage being voidable by the injured party — see absolute impediment , diriment impediment , impedient impediment , prohibitive impediment , relative impediment
Synonyms: see obstacle