Noun

(en noun)

A hindrance; that which impedes or hinders progress.

* Shakespeare

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

* {{quote-book

, year=1818 , author=Mary Shelley , title=Frankenstein , chapter=2 citation , passage=I had gazed upon the fortifications and impediments that seemed to keep human beings from entering the citadel of nature, and rashly and ignorantly I had repined.}}

Working in a noisy factory left him with a slight hearing impediment .

(chiefly, in the plural) Baggage, especially that of an army; impedimenta

Noun

(uncountable) The condition of being weak.

(countable) An inadequate quality; fault

* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=20 citation , passage=The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness , mean and embarrassing and sad.}}

* {{quote-news, year=2013, date=January 22, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC

, title= Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4) , passage=Bradford had preyed on Villa's inability to defend set pieces, corners in particular, in their first-leg win and took advantage of the weakness again as Hanson equalised to restore their two-goal aggregate lead.}}

(countable) A special fondness or desire.