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Where does the word "impede" come from? It comes from Latin impedire, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "impede" come from? It comes from Latin impedire, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).
Impede’s story begins in Latin: impedire meant “to shackle the feet.” 'in-' plus 'pes', foot. It reached English by 1600s as impede. 'impediment' is older. Today, impede means to delay or block.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient impedire "to shackle the feet", 'in-' plus 'pes', foot.
- Stage 2 · English · 1600s impede "to hinder", 'impediment' is older.