Hinderance
/ˈhɪn.dər.əns/noun
A variant spelling of hindrance, meaning an obstacle, impediment, or source of delay.
Did you know?“Hinderance” is a documented historical variant of “hindrance,” whose root is connected to the Germanic word for being behind or at the rear.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hindar
“Behind, at the rear”
Old English
OE
hindrian
“To hold back, obstruct, or impede”
Middle English
ME
hindren
“To hinder, delay, or prevent”
14th Century
Anglo-French/English
hinderaunce
“An obstruction or impediment”
15th–16th Century
English
hinderance
“A variant spelling of hindrance”
Modern English
English
hindrance
“Something that obstructs progress or causes delay”
Explore more surprising origins