{ } n. The state of impending; the state of being imminent and liable to happen soon; also, that which impends. “Impendence of volcanic cloud.” Ruskin.
Syn. -- imminence, imminency, impendence, forthcomingness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. impendens, p. pr. of impendēre. ] Impending; threatening. [ 1913 Webster ]

Impendent horrors, threatening hideous fall. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Impeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Impeding. ] [ L. impedire, lit., to entangle the feet; pref. im- in + pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Impeach. ] To hinder; to stop in progress; to obstruct; as, to impede the advance of troops. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whatever hinders or impedes
The action of the nobler will. Logfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]