- hindrance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, check, handicap - something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
--1 is a kind of difficulty
--1 has particulars:albatross, millstone; bind; drag; obstacle, obstruction; straitjacket Derived form: verb impede1 - obstruction, obstructor, obstructer, impediment, impedimenta - any structure that makes progress difficult
--2 is a kind of structure, construction
--2 has particulars:bar; barrier; blockade; blockage, block, closure, occlusion, stop, stoppage; hindrance, hitch, preventive, preventative, encumbrance, incumbrance, interference; obstacle; tumbler Derived form: verb impede2