Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HINDER, v.t. [Sax. henan, hynan, hindrian; G. hindern; D. hinderen; Sw. hindra; Dan. hindrer; from hind, hyn. The Saxon verbs henan, hynan, signify to oppress, as well as to hinder, and hean is low, humble, poor. Qu. L. cunctor, or Gr. οκνεω for οκενεω. See Class Gn, No. 4, 14, 41.]

1. To stop; to interrupt; to obstruct; to impede or prevent from moving forward by any means. It is applicable to any subject, physical, moral, or intellectual. Them that were entering in, ye hindered. Luke xi.
2. To retard; to check in progression or motion; to obstruct for a time, or to render slow in motion. Cold weather hinders the growth of plants, or hinders them from coming to maturity in due season. Let no obstacle hinder daily improvement.
3. To prevent. What hinders younger brothers, being fathers of families, from having the same right? Locke.