impasse








noun

  1. a position or situation from which there is no escape; deadlock.
  2. a road or way that has no outlet; cul-de-sac.

noun

  1. a situation in which progress is blocked; an insurmountable difficulty; stalemate; deadlock
n.

1851, “blind alley,” from French impasse “impassable road, blind alley, impasse,” from assimilated form of in- “not, opposite of” (see in- (1)) + Middle French passe “a passing,” from passer “to pass” (see pass (v.)). Supposedly coined by Voltaire as a euphemism for cul de sac. Figurative use also from 1851.

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