/ob"steuh keuhl/ , n.
something that obstructs or hinders progress.
[ 1300-50; ME obstaculum, equiv. to obsta ( re ) to face, block, hinder ( ob- OB- + stare to STAND) + -culum -CLE 2 ]
Syn . OBSTACLE, OBSTRUCTION, HINDRANCE, IMPEDIMENT refer to something that interferes with or prevents action or progress. An OBSTACLE is something, material or nonmaterial, that stands in the way of literal or figurative progress: Lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement. An OBSTRUCTION is something that more or less completely blocks a passage: A blood clot is an obstruction to the circulation. A HINDRANCE keeps back by interfering and delaying: Interruptions are a hindrance to one's work. An IMPEDIMENT interferes with proper functioning: an impediment in one's speech.
Ant . help.