Dif"fi*cul*ty (?), n.; pl.
Difficulties (#). [L. difficultas, fr.
difficilis difficult; dif- = dis- +
facilis easy: cf. F. difficulté. See
Facile.] 1. The state of being difficult,
or hard to do; hardness; arduousness; -- opposed to easiness
or facility; as, the difficulty of a task or
enterprise; a work of difficulty.
Not being able to promote them [the interests of life]
on account of the difficulty of the region.
James Byrne.
2. Something difficult; a thing hard to do or
to understand; that which occasions labor or perplexity, and requires
skill and perseverance to overcome, solve, or achieve; a hard
enterprise; an obstacle; an impediment; as, the difficulties
of a science; difficulties in theology.
They lie under some difficulties by reason of
the emperor's displeasure.
Addison.
3. A controversy; a falling out; a
disagreement; an objection; a cavil.
Measures for terminating all local
difficulties.
Bancroft.
4. Embarrassment of affairs, especially
financial affairs; -- usually in the plural; as, to be in
difficulties.
In days of difficulty and
pressure.
Tennyson.
Syn. -- Impediment; obstacle; obstruction; embarrassment;
perplexity; exigency; distress; trouble; trial; objection; cavil. See
Impediment.
