difficulty

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difficulty

/ˈdɪfɪkəlti/

Where it comes from

From Middle English difficulte, from Middle French and Anglo-Norman difficulte and their etymon Latin difficultas, from difficul, older form of difficilis (“hard to do, difficult”), from dis- + facilis (“easy”); see difficile and difficult. Equivalent to dis- + facile + -ty. Also analysable as difficult + -y, though the adjective is historically a backformation from the noun.

noun difficulties

countable, uncountable The state of being difficult, or hard to do. My mom is old and has a lot of difficulty (in) remembering all her grandchildren's names.
countable, uncountable An obstacle that hinders achievement of a goal. We faced a difficulty in trying to book a flight so late.
countable, in plural, sometimes, uncountable Physical danger from the environment, especially with risk of drowning 2012 August 2, "Children rescued after getting into difficulties in Donegal" BBC Online
countable, uncountable An objection.
countable, uncountable That which cannot be easily understood or believed.
countable, uncountable An awkward situation or quarrel.

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