obstacle

Where does the word "obstacle" come from? It comes from Latin obstaculum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Obstacle’s story begins in Latin: obstaculum meant “something that stands in the way.” Something that stands in the way, from ob- (against) and stare (to stand). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as obstacle. Carried into French for a blocking object. It reached English by 1300s as obstacle. Settled as the English word for something blocking progress. Today, obstacle means something that blocks progress or makes it difficult.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient obstaculum "something that stands in the way", something that stands in the way, from ob- (against) and stare (to stand).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval obstacle "a blocking object", carried into French for a blocking object.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s obstacle "something that blocks progress", settled as the English word for something blocking progress.