Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun plural Objects, such as provisions or baggage, that impede or encumber.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Things which hinder, impede, or encumber; specifically, articles taken with one on a journey which impede one's progress; especially, military baggage; supplies carried along with an army; in general, baggage.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun plural (Mil.) Things which impede or hinder progress; incumbrances; baggage
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun Equipment intended for an activity that serves as more of a
hindrance than a help - noun Plural form of
impedimentum .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the baggage and equipment carried by an army
- noun any structure that makes progress difficult
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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These are all hinderances, clogs, and burdens, and, according to the proper Latin word, they are called impedimenta bellica.
Sermons Preached Upon Several Occasions. Vol. V. 1634-1716 1823
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According to Cornell University biologists, the reason for success of this technique may be that the fishing line mimics the "impedimenta" warning strings spiders construct near their webs to keep birds from flying through them and destroying their work.
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To effect this, the army should march, crossing the Koharee disencumbered of the 'impedimenta' of war, before daylight the 29th inst.
The Autobiography of Liuetenant-General Sir Harry Smith, Baronet of Aliwal on the Sutlej, G. C. B. 1903
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Kruger's Post, north of Lydenburg, and here the enemy succeeded in capturing 35 men and a quantity of "impedimenta;" the field-cornet in question, although warned in time, having taken no proper precautions.
My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War P. [Illustrator] Van Breda 1892
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Their 'impedimenta' were thus safely transported to the opposite bank, the whole process occupying about an hour.
Narrative of the Overland Expedition of the Messrs. Jardine from Rockhampton to Cape York, Northern Queensland Frank Jardine 1880
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'Not exactly,' said Guy; 'the "impedimenta" are, some at Varenna, some at the inn with Arnaud.'
The Heir of Redclyffe Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862
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Thanks to the kindness of Captain Buckley, of the Scots 'Fusileer Guards, and Colonel Somerset, who lent us means of conveyance for our "impedimenta," I was able to move up in one day.
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Fifteen ponies are purchased to carry the baggage of the regiment; and the allowance for officers is only sufficient to allow Henry and me a bullock-trunk apiece, – rather different to our notions of the "impedimenta" of a regiment!
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He observed that the ancients allowed of little baggage, which they very properly called "impedimenta;" whereas the moderns burthen themselves with it to such a degree, that 50,000 of our present soldiers are allowed as much baggage as was formerly thought sufficient for all the armies of the Roman empire.
Boswell's Correspondence with the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and His Journal of a Tour to Corsica James Boswell 1767
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"impedimenta" thus bring to the race that has them a wealth of life both physical and psychical, practical and ideal, that is otherwise unattainable.
Evolution Of The Japanese, Social And Psychic Sidney Lewis Gulick 1902
wordsplay commented on the word impedimenta
"she wondered if those with the same abstracts, files and professional impedimenta on his desk...."the 26-year old Jean Louise Finch considering materials on her father's desk.
The tallest of the trade that get in the way of an individual's consideration of their self. At any rate, in the case of Harper Lee's "Go set a watchman".
January 9, 2022