impasse
UK[ˈæmpɑːs]US[ˈɪmpæs]
n
A situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement; a deadlock.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
passe
im
not
passe
pass
Etymology
The word 'impasse' is a direct borrowing from modern French, where it literally means "no passage." It entered English in the mid-19th century. The French term is built from the negative prefix 'im-' (from Latin 'in-') combined with 'passe', the noun form of the verb 'passer' (to pass), which itself derives from the Latin 'passus', meaning 'step' or 'pace'. The logic of the word is transparent: an 'impasse' is a figurative place or situation where one cannot take a step forward, perfectly capturing the modern sense of a deadlock or stalemate where progress is blocked.
Analysis
Structure: im (not) + passe (pass)
im- (Latin prefix, a form of 'in-' meaning 'not'); passe (from French 'passer', meaning 'to pass')
Examples
The negotiations have reached an impasse, with neither side willing to compromise.
We need fresh ideas to break the political impasse.
The closed road created an impasse, forcing us to find an alternate route.