Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Impediment \Im*ped"i*ment\, v. t.
   To impede. [R.] --Bp. Reynolds.

Impediment \Im*ped"i*ment\, n. [L. impedimentum: cf. F.
   impediment.]
   That which impedes or hinders progress, motion, activity, or
   effect.

         Thus far into the bowels of the land Have we marched on
         without impediment.                      --Shak.

   {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.

                The eloquence of Demosthenes was to Philip of
                Macedon, a difficulty to be met with his best
                recources, ant obstacle to his own ambition, and
                an impedimen in his political career. --C. J.
                                                  Smith.

Source : WordNet®

impediment
     n 1: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action
          or progress [syn: {hindrance}, {deterrent}, {balk}, {baulk},
           {check}, {handicap}]
     2: any structure that makes progress difficult [syn: {obstruction},
         {obstructor}, {obstructer}, {impedimenta}]