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obstruction |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Obstruction \Ob*struc"tion\, n. [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. Usage: {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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: obstruction n 1: anything that makes progress difficult [syn: {impediment}, {impedimenta}] 2: something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted: "lack of immagination 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" [syn: {obstacle}] 3: the act of obstructing; "obstruction of justice" 4: getting in someone's way
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