impede
Definitions
To slow down or obstruct the progress or movement of something.
阻碍，妨碍
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedim- (a form of in-, 'in, on') + ped (foot) = 'to put a foot in the way.' The original picture is entangling someone's feet so they stumble. That physical act of tripping became the abstract meaning: to hinder or hold back.
Root ped still carries 32 more wordsWhy It Means This
Impede and expedite are built on the same image of a foot caught in a fetter. To impede is to trap the foot (in-); to expedite is to free it (ex-). So whenever something impedes you, imagine your feet literally tangled — that is exactly what the Romans pictured.
Common Collocations
- 1.impede progress阻碍进展
- 2.impede development阻碍发展
- 3.impede movement阻碍运动
- 4.seriously impede严重阻碍
Example Sentences
- 1.
Heavy snow impeded the rescue teams trying to reach the village.
- 2.
Poor planning can seriously impede a project's progress.
- 3.
Nothing should be allowed to impede the flow of information.
Synonym Comparison
- impede — slow or obstruct progress, often partially; somewhat formal
- hinder — the everyday near-synonym; make harder but not necessarily stop
- block — fully stop; cut off the path entirely
- hamper — restrict freedom of movement, as if weighed down
- obstruct — physically or deliberately put something in the way