block

block [bläk]

n.

[ME blokke < OFr bloc & MDu block < IE * bhlugo- < base * bhel-, a thick plank, beam > BALK, Gr phalanx, L fulcrum]

1. any large, solid piece of wood, stone, or metal, often with flat surfaces

2. a blocklike stand or platform on which hammering, chopping, etc. is done [a butcher's block, headsman's block ]

☆ 3. an auctioneer's platform

4.

a) a mold upon which things are shaped, as hats

b) the shape of a hat

5. anything that stops movement or progress; obstruction, obstacle, or hindrance

6. a pulley or system of pulleys in a frame, with a hook, loop, etc. for attachment

7. any solid piece of material used to strengthen or support

8.

a) an oblong building unit of concrete, larger than a brick and usually not solid: in full concrete block

b) a similar unit of glass or other material

c) such units collectively

9. a toy brick, typically cubic, of wood or plastic

☆ 10. Now Brit. a large building with many units in it, or a group of buildings regarded as a unit

11.

☆ a) an area bounded by streets or buildings on four sides; city square

b) the distance along one side of such an area

12. any number of persons or things regarded as a unit [a block of tickets]

13. the metal casting that houses the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine; engine block

14. Slang a person's head

15. Comput. a unit of memory, consisting of one or more contiguous words, bytes, or records

16. Med.

a) an interruption of normal function in a part of the body [heart block, kidney block]

b) an interruption of the passage of impulses through a nerve by means of pressure or anesthetics

17. Printing a piece of wood, linoleum, etc. engraved with a design or picture

18. Psychiatry a sudden interruption in speech or thought processes, resulting from deep emotional conflict, repression, etc.

19. Railroading a length of track governed by signals: see BLOCK SYSTEM

☆ 20. Sports an interruption, restraining, or thwarting of an opponent's play or movement

21. Philately a set of four or more unseparated stamps forming a rectangle

22. [pl.] Track & Field STARTING BLOCKS

vt.

[Fr bloquer < the n.]

1. to impede the passage or progress of; obstruct

2. to blockade

3. to create difficulties for; stand in the way of; hinder

4.

a) to shape or mold on or as on a block

b) to stamp with a block

5. to form into blocks

6. to strengthen or support with blocks

7. to restrict or prohibit the use, conversion, or flow of (currency, assets, etc.)

8. to sketch or outline with little or no detail: often with out

9. Games Sports to hinder (an opponent or his play), whether legally or as a foul

10. Med. to prevent the transmission of impulses in (a nerve), esp. by anesthetizing

11. Theater to plan or direct (the movements on stage of actors)

vi.

1. to have a mental block (on)

☆ 2. Sports to block an opponent

adj.

1. made or formed in a block or blocks [block coal]

2. set out like or involving a city block

3. Stenography having no indentation in address, heading, or paragraphs

SYN.- HINDER¹

——————

block up

1. to fill in (a passage, space, etc.) so as to obstruct

2. to elevate on blocks

——————

go to the block

1. to be beheaded

2. to be up for sale in an auction

——————

knock someone's block off

Slang to give a beating to

——————

☆ on the block

up for sale or auction