impedire

prevent

verb eem-peh-DEE-reh Common

Origin: from Latin impedire, to entangle the feet

Also means

hinder

Usage Note

Impedire is an -isco verb (impedisco, impedisce) and takes the construction impedire a qualcuno di fare ('to stop someone from doing'). The original Latin pictured tying up the feet, so think 'put a foot in the way'.

Examples

"Niente può impedire il progresso."

Natural Translation

Nothing can stop progress.

Literal Translation

Nothing can prevent the progress.

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