impede
UK[ɪmˈpiːd]US[ɪmˈpiːd]
v
to delay or stop the progress of something
Morpheme Breakdown
im
pede
im
in
pede
foot
Etymology
The verb 'impede' originates from the Latin impedire, meaning 'to shackle the feet' or 'to entangle'. This Latin term is a compound of the prefix in- (meaning 'in' or 'upon') and the noun pes, pedis (meaning 'foot'), with its literal sense relating to the act of fettering someone's feet. Over time, the concrete image of physically obstructing movement evolved into the more abstract and general meaning of hindering or obstructing any form of progress or action. The semantic connection remains clear: just as shackling the feet prevents walking, to impede something is to place an obstacle in its path, slowing or stopping its advance.
Analysis
Structure: im (in) + pede (foot)
im- (Latin prefix meaning 'in', 'into', or 'upon'), pede (from Latin pes, ped- meaning 'foot')
Examples
The deep snow will impede the progress of the rescue vehicles.
Financial constraints should not impede access to quality education.
He did not let his injury impede his determination to finish the race.