[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

impediment \imped"iment\, 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
see also:
impediment in speech impediment obstacle difficulty hindrance 

Impediment >> I Words
Impediment, definition of term: Impediment
impediment_pag1.html

Speech >> S Words
Speech, definition of term: Speech
speech_pag1.html

Speech Sound >> S Words
Speech Sound, definition of term: Speech Sound
speech+sound_pag1.html

Speech Recognit >> S Words
Speech Recognit, definition of term: Speech Recognit
speech+recognit_pag1.html

Speech Act >> S Words
Speech Act, definition of term: Speech Act
speech+act_pag1.html

Oblique Speech >> O Words
Oblique Speech, definition of term: Oblique Speech
oblique+speech_pag1.html

Part Of Speech >> P Words
Part Of Speech, definition of term: Part Of Speech
part+of+speech_pag1.html