hindrance
UK: ˈhɪn.drəns | US: ˈhɪn.drəns
n. something that delays or prevents progress; an obstacle
n. the act of hindering or interfering with an action
hindrance = hind<back, behind> + rance<noun suffix>
- hind<back, behind>: From Old English hindan ("from behind"), related to hind (rear). Implies obstruction by holding back.
- rance<noun suffix>: A variant of -ance, forming nouns indicating a state or action (e.g., resistance, allowance).
Etymology Origin:
Derived from the verb hinder (Old English hindrian, "to hold back"), hindrance emerged in Middle English (14th century) to nominalize the concept of obstruction. The root hind- reflects spatial logic—obstacles metaphorically "hold you back" or "keep you behind." The suffix -ance systematized it into a measurable state, aligning with Latin-derived abstract nouns.
Poor infrastructure is a major hindrance to economic growth.
Her lack of experience proved no hindrance to her success.
The new regulations created more hindrances for small businesses.
He saw criticism as a hindrance rather than constructive feedback.
Removing bureaucratic hindrances accelerated the project timeline.