Dif·fi·cul·ty n.; pl. Difficulties
 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 and 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.
 4. Embarrassment of affairs, especially financial affairs; -- usually in the plural; as, to be in difficulties.
    In days of difficulty and pressure.   --Tennyson.
 Syn: -- Impediment; obstacle; obstruction; embarrassment; perplexity; exigency; distress; trouble; trial; objection; cavil. See Impediment.

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