from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
- n.pl. Objects, such as provisions or baggage, that impede or encumber.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- n. Equipment intended for an activity that serves as more of a hindrance than a help
- n. Plural form of impedimentum.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
- n.pl. Things which impede or hinder progress; incumbrances; baggage
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- Things which hinder, impede, or encumber; specifically, articles taken with one on a journey which impede one's progress; especially, military baggage; supplies carried along with an army; in general, baggage.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- n. the baggage and equipment carried by an army
- n. any structure that makes progress difficult
These are all hinderances, clogs, and burdens, and, according to the proper Latin word, they are called impedimenta bellica.
According to Cornell University biologists, the reason for success of this technique may be that the fishing line mimics the "impedimenta" warning strings spiders construct near their webs to keep birds from flying through them and destroying their work.
To effect this, the army should march, crossing the Koharee disencumbered of the 'impedimenta' of war, before daylight the 29th inst.
Kruger's Post, north of Lydenburg, and here the enemy succeeded in capturing 35 men and a quantity of "impedimenta;" the field-cornet in question, although warned in time, having taken no proper precautions.
Their 'impedimenta' were thus safely transported to the opposite bank, the whole process occupying about an hour.
'Not exactly,' said Guy; 'the "impedimenta" are, some at Varenna, some at the inn with Arnaud.'
Fifteen ponies are purchased to carry the baggage of the regiment; and the allowance for officers is only sufficient to allow Henry and me a bullock-trunk apiece, – rather different to our notions of the "impedimenta" of a regiment!
Thanks to the kindness of Captain Buckley, of the Scots 'Fusileer Guards, and Colonel Somerset, who lent us means of conveyance for our "impedimenta," I was able to move up in one day.
He observed that the ancients allowed of little baggage, which they very properly called "impedimenta;" whereas the moderns burthen themselves with it to such a degree, that 50,000 of our present soldiers are allowed as much baggage as was formerly thought sufficient for all the armies of the Roman empire.
"impedimenta" thus bring to the race that has them a wealth of life both physical and psychical, practical and ideal, that is otherwise unattainable.