Difficulty /(?)/

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.

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.

3. A controversy; a falling out; a disagreement; an objection; a cavil.

   Measures for terminating all local difficulties.

4. Embarrassment of affairs, especially financial affairs; -- usually in the plural; as, to be in difficulties.

   In days of difficulty and pressure.