difficulty

Definition

The state of being difficult, or hard to do.

Etymology

From Middle English difficulte, from Middle French and Anglo-Norman difficulte and their etymon Latin difficultas, from difficul, older form of difficilis (“hard to do, difficult”), from dis- + facilis (“easy”); see difficile and difficult. Equivalent to dis- + facile + -ty. Also analysable as difficult + -y, though the adjective is historically a backformation from the noun.

Example Sentences

• "My mom is old and has a lot of difficulty (in) remembering all her grandchildren's names."
• "We faced a difficulty in trying to book a flight so late."
• "The difficulties of photoheliography consist principally in the rapidity with which the sun's image acts upon the sensitive film."

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