difficulty

noun

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.

1. The state of being difficult, or hard to do.

   “My mom is old and has a lot of difficulty (in) remembering all her grandchildren's names.”

2. An obstacle that hinders achievement of a goal.

   “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.”

3. Physical danger from the environment, especially with risk of drowning

   “2012 August 2, "Children rescued after getting into difficulties in Donegal" BBC Online”

   “The three teenagers, a girl and two boys, were playing by the river when it is believed they got into difficulty.”

4. An objection.
5. That which cannot be easily understood or believed.
6. An awkward situation or quarrel.