In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
OBSTRUCTION
obstruction
(noun) getting in someone’s way
obstruction
(noun) the act of obstructing; “obstruction of justice”
obstruction, obstructor, obstructer, impediment, impedimenta
(noun) any structure that makes progress difficult
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”
obstruction, blockage
(noun) the physical condition of blocking or filling a passage with an obstruction
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
obstruction (countable and uncountable, plural obstructions)
The act of obstructing, or state of being obstructed.
Something which obstructs or impedes, either intentionally or unintentionally
Synonyms: obstacle, impediment, hindrance
The condition of having the natural powers obstructed in their usual course; the arrest of the vital functions; death.
Synonyms
• block
• hindrance
• impedance
• roadblock
• stop
• See also hindrance
Source: Wiktionary
Ob*struc"tion, n. Etym: [L.obstructio.]
1. The act of obstructing, or state of being obstructed.
2. That which obstructs or impedes; an obstacle; an impediment; a hindrance. A popular assembly free from obstruction. Swift.
3. The condition of having the natural powers obstructed in their usual course; the arrest of the vital functions; death. [Poetic] To die, and go we know not where, To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot. Shak.
Syn.
– Obstacle; bar; barrier; impediment; clog; check; hindrance.
– Obstruction, Obstacle. The difference between these words is that indicated by their etymology; an obstacle is something standing in the way; an obstruction is something put in the way. Obstacle implies more fixedness and is the stronger word. We remove obstructions; we surmount obstacles. Disparity in age seems a greater obstacle to an intimate friendship than inequality of fortune. Collier. The king expected to meet with all the obstructions and difficulties his enraged enemies could lay in his way. Clarendon.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Word of the Day
20 November 2024
ENEMA
(noun) an injection of a liquid through the anus to stimulate evacuation; sometimes used for diagnostic purposes
Coffee Trivia
