\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.
         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}.