Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- obstruction; hindrance; obstacle.
- any physical defect that impedes normal or easy speech; a speech disorder.
- Chiefly Ecclesiastical Law. a bar, usually of blood or affinity, to marriage: a diriment impediment.
- Usually impediments. impedimenta.
noun
- a hindrance or obstruction
- a physical defect, esp one of speech, such as a stammer
- plural -ments or -menta (-ˈmɛntə) law an obstruction to the making of a contract, esp a contract of marriage by reason of closeness of blood or affinity
c.1400, from Latin impedimentem “hindrance,” from impedire “impede,” literally “to shackle the feet,” from assimilated form of in- “into, in” (see in- (2)) + pes (genitive pedis) “foot” (see foot (n.)).
n.
- Something that impedes; a hindrance or an obstruction.
- An organic defect preventing clear articulation of speech.