impediment in speech

1 definition found

impediment in speech - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Impediment \Im*ped"i*ment\, n. [L. impedimentum: cf. F.
     impediment.]
     That which impedes or hinders progress, motion, activity, or
     effect.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Thus far into the bowels of the land
           Have we marched on without impediment.   --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Impediment in speech, a defect which prevents distinct
        utterance.
  
     Syn: Hindrance; obstruction; obstacle; difficulty;
          incumbrance.
  
     Usage: Impediment, Obstacle, Difficulty, Hindrance.
            An impediment literally strikes against our feet,
            checking our progress, and we remove it. An obstacle
            rises before us in our path, and we surmount or remove
            it. A difficulty sets before us something hard to be
            done, and we encounter it and overcome it. A hindrance
            holds us back for a time, but we break away from it.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  The eloquence of Demosthenes was to Philip of
                  Macedon, a difficulty to be met with his best
                  resources, an obstacle to his own ambition, and
                  an impediment in his political career. --C. J.
                                                    Smith.
            [1913 Webster]