Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - hinder

 I. verb  (~ed; ~ing)  Etymology: Middle English hindren, from Old English hindrian; akin to Old English ~ behind  Date: before 12th century  transitive verb  1. to make slow or difficult the progress of ; hamper  2. to hold back ; check  intransitive verb to delay, impede, or prevent action  • ~er noun Synonyms:  ~, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of. ~ stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress rain ~ed the climb. impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering tight clothing that impedes movement. obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way the view was obstructed by billboards. block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress a landslide blocked the road.  II. adjective  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ~, adverb  Date: 13th century situated behind or in the rear ; posterior