Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1800-1900
Language: French
Origin: passer 'to pass'

impasse

 noun
     
im‧passe [singular]
a situation in which it is impossible to continue with a discussion or plan because the people involved cannot agree
at an impasse
The political process is at an impasse.
Negotiations seemed to have reached an impasse.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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