Hinder, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hindered; p. pr. & vb. n. Hindering.]
Etymology: [OE. hindren, hinderen, AS. hindrian, fr. hinder behind; akin to D. hinderen, G. hindern, OHG. hintar, Icel. & Sw. hindra, Dan. hindre. See Hinder, a.]
1. To keep back or behind; to prevent from starting or moving forward; to check; to retard; to obstruct; to bring to a full stop; - - often followed by from; as, an accident hindered the coach; drought hinders the growth of plants; to hinder me from going. Them that were entering in ye hindered. Luke xi. 52. I hinder you too long. Shak.
2. To prevent or embarrass; to debar; to shut out. What hinders younger brothers, being fathers of families, from having the same right Locke.
Syn. -- To check; retard; impede; delay; block; clog; prevent; stop; interrupt; counteract; thwart; oppose; obstruct; debar; embarrass.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Hinder, a.
Of or belonging to that part or end which is in the rear, or which follows; as, the hinder part of a wagon; the hinder parts of a horse. He was in the hinder part of the ship. Mark iv. 38.
Hinder, v. i.
To interpose obstacles or impediments; to be a hindrance. This objection hinders not but that the heroic action of some commander . . . may be written. Dryden.
Shades of meaning
To hinder is to keep from action, progress, motion, or growth, or to make such action, progress, motion, or growth later in beginning or completion than it would otherwise have been. An action is prevented by anything that comes in before it to make it impossible; it is hindered by anything that keeps it from either beginning or ending so soon as it otherwise would, or as expected or intended. It is more common, however, to say that the start is delayed, the progress hindered. An action that is hindered does not take place at the appointed or appropriate time; that which is prevented does not take place at all; to hinder a thing long enough may amount to preventing it. A railroad-train may be hindered by a snow-storm from arriving on time; it may by special order be prevented from starting. To retard is simply to make slow by any means whatever. To obstruct is to hinder, or possibly to prevent advance or passage by putting something in the way; to oppose or resist is to hinder, or possibly to prevent by directly contrary or hostile action, resist being the stronger term and having more suggestion of physical force; obstructed roads hinder the march of an enemy, tho there may be no force strong enough to oppose it; one opposes a measure, a motion, an amendment, or the like; it is a criminal offense to resist an officer in the discharge of his duty; the physical system may resist the attack of disease or the action of a remedy. Compare conquer; impediment; obstruct.
Prepositions
Hinder one in his progress; from acting promptly; by opposition.