difficulty

Meaning

Noun

• The state of being difficult, or hard to do.
• An obstacle that hinders achievement of a goal.
• Physical danger from the environment, especially with risk of drowning
• An objection.
• That which cannot be easily understood or believed.
• An awkward situation or quarrel.

Origin

• From Middle English difficultee, from Old French difficulté, from Latin difficultas, from difficul, older form of difficilis, from dis- + facilis; see difficile and difficult. Equivalent to dis- + facile. Also analysable as difficult + -y, though the adjective is historically a backformation from the noun.