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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Difficulty \Dif"fi*cul*ty\, n.; pl. {Difficulties}. [L.
difficultas, fr. difficilis difficult; dif- = dis- facilis
easy: cf. F. difficult['e]. 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.
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Not being able to promote them [the interests of
life] on account of the difficulty of the region.
--James Byrne.
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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.
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They lie under some difficulties by reason of the
emperor's displeasure. --Addison.
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3. A controversy; a falling out; a disagreement; an
objection; a cavil.
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Measures for terminating all local difficulties.
--Bancroft.
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4. Embarrassment of affairs, especially financial affairs; --
usually in the plural; as, to be in difficulties.
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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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