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.
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