impedimenta

American  

[im-ped-uh-men-tuh] / ɪmˌpɛd əˈmɛn tə /

plural noun

1. baggage or other things that retard one's progress, as supplies carried by an army.

   the impedimenta of the weekend skier.

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impedimenta British  

/ ɪmˌpɛdɪˈmɛntə /

plural noun

1. the baggage and equipment carried by an army

2. any objects or circumstances that impede progress

3. a plural of impediment

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Etymology

Origin of impedimenta

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin: literally, “traveling gear, luggage, baggage,” plural of impedīmentum impediment

Example Sentences

Mr. Grossman photographed the hirsute quartet juxtaposed against a jungle of television cameras, amplifiers and other backstage impedimenta, and he shot from the balcony to capture their electrifying effect on the audience.

From New York Times • Jan. 5, 2023

Astor Place had the impedimenta landlords left on the sidewalk after old tenants died.

From New York Times • Oct. 15, 2020

Between the driver and passenger seats there was a large, raised, shag-pile-carpeted area, which I was using to lay out my various writerly impedimenta: voice recorder, notebook, pens and so forth.

From New York Times • Feb. 9, 2017

Those who like their fiction accompanied by a good deal of bookish impedimenta will find almost more than they can handle in Dictionary of the Khazars.

From Time Magazine Archive

The latter were all horsemen, unencumbered with wagons, and without even the impedimenta of tents.

From The Yellow Chief by Reid, Mayne