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