impasse
noun
- a road or passage having no exit; a cul-de-sac
- a situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈæmpɑːs/ / /æmˈpɑːs/ / /ˈɪmpɑːs/
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *n̥- Latin in-bor. French im- French passe French impassebor. English impasse Borrowed from French impasse.
- A road with no exit; a cul-de-sac.
- A deadlock or stalemate situation in which no progress can be made.
““It seems to me the thing's an impasse. French expression,” I explained, “meaning that we're stymied good and proper with no hope of finding a formula.””
“"Young man, this town is at a bit of an impasse. If you have any suggestion that might help, now would be the time to voice it."”