block

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English blok, from Middle French & Middle Dutch; Middle French bloc, from Middle Dutch blok; akin to Old High German bloh block Date: 14th century 1. a compact usually solid piece of substantial material especially when worked or altered to serve a particular purpose: as a. the piece of wood on which the neck of a person condemned to be beheaded is laid for execution b. a mold or form on which articles are shaped or displayed c. a hollow rectangular building unit usually of artificial material d. a lightweight usually cubical and solid wooden or plastic building toy that is usually provided in sets e. the casting that contains the cylinders of an internal combustion engine f. starting block 2. a. obstacle b. an obstruction of an opponent's play in sports; especially a halting or impeding of the progress or movement of an opponent in football by use of the body c. (1) interruption of normal physiological function (as of a tissue or organ); especially heart block (2) local anesthesia (as by injection) produced by interruption of the flow of impulses along a nerve d. interruption or cessation especially of train of thought by competing thoughts or psychological suppression — compare writer's block 3. slang head 1 <

threatened to knock his block off

> 4. a wooden or metal case enclosing one or more pulleys and having a hook, eye, or strap by which it may be attached 5. a piece of material (as wood or linoleum) having on its surface a hand-cut design from which impressions are to be printed 6. a. (1) a usually rectangular space (as in a city) enclosed by streets and occupied by or intended for buildings (2) the distance along one of the sides of such a block b. (1) a large building divided into separate functional units (2) a line of row houses (3) a distinctive part of a building or integrated group of buildings 7. a platform from which property is sold at auction 8. a. a quantity, number, or section of things dealt with as a unit b. bloc 2 II. verb Date: 1580 transitive verb 1. a. to make unsuitable for passage or progress by obstruction b. archaic blockade c. to hinder the passage, progress, or accomplishment of by or as if by interposing an obstruction d. to shut off from view <

forest canopy blocking the sun

> e. to interfere usually legitimately with (as an opponent) in various games or sports f. to prevent normal functioning or action of g. to restrict the exchange of (as currency or checks) 2. to mark or indicate the outline or chief lines of <

block out a design

> <

block in a sketched figure

> 3. to shape on, with, or as if with a block <

block a hat

> 4. to secure, support, or provide with a block 5. to work out or chart the movements of (as stage performers) — often used with out 6. to make (two or more lines of writing or type) flush at the left or at both left and right intransitive verb to block an opponent in sports Synonyms: see hinder • blocker noun