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