impedir
/impeˈdiɾ/ · B1 · verb
to impede, hinder
🚧 Latin impedire = in + pes/pedis (foot): to shackle the feet
Same root as English impede and pedal. To impedir is to catch someone's feet so they can't move forward. Spanish uses it with que + subjunctive: impedir que alguien salga, to prevent someone from leaving.