Definition of "impede" []

• To retard or obstruct the progress of. See Synonyms at hinder1. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "All through the social mass run curious veins and streakings separating man from man and woman from woman; mysterious prerogatives and disabilities too ethereal to be distinguished by anything so crude as a title impede and disorder the great business of human intercourse."
• "Does the R behind my name impede you from having a true debate?"
• "Belle - My comment not a criticism of the writer (you) as regards "impede" - I took it as quote from the "officials" and Best Buy people and it really lit my fire."