Obstacle, opposition.
ETYM Latin impedimentum: cf. French impediment.
An obstacle, hindrance; speech defect.
ETYM French, from Latin obstaculum, from obstare to withstand, oppose; ob (see Ob-) + stare to stand. Related to Stand. and cf. Oust.
1. An object that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented).
2. Something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted; SYN. obstruction.