DIFFICULTATE
Dif"fi*cult*ate, v. t.
Defn: To render difficult; to difficilitate. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
DIFFICULTLY
Dif"fi*cult*ly, adv.
Defn: With difficulty. Cowper.
DIFFICULTNESS
Dif"fi*cult*ness, n.
Defn: Difficulty. [R.] Golding.
DIFFICULTY
Dif"fi*cul*ty, n.; pl. Difficulties. Etym: [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 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.