In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
OBSTACLE
obstacle
(noun) an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)
obstacle, obstruction
(noun) something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted; “lack of imagination is an obstacle to one’s advancement”; “the poverty of a district is an obstacle to good education”; “the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
obstacle (plural obstacles)
Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress
Synonyms
• impediment
• hindrance
• hurdle
• barrier
• complication
• snag
• See also hindrance
Anagrams
• Casebolt, costable
Source: Wiktionary
Ob"sta*cle, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. obstaculum, fr. obstare to withstand, oppose; ob (see Ob-) + stare to stand. See Stand. and cf. Oust, v.]
Definition: That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral. If all obstacles were cut away. And that my path were even to the crown. Shak.
Syn.
– Impediment; obstuction; hindrance; difficulty. See Impediment, and Obstruction.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
12 April 2025
GLASSY
(adjective) (used of eyes) lacking liveliness; “empty eyes”; “a glassy stare”; “his eyes were glazed over with boredom”
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