■ noun
1》 a large solid piece of hard material with flat surfaces on each side.
↘a starting ~.
↘ Printing a piece of wood or metal engraved for printing on paper or fabric.
↘a head-shaped mould used for shaping hats or wigs.
2》 Brit. a large single building subdivided into separate flats or offices: a ~ of flats.
↘a group of buildings bounded by four streets.
↘ N. Amer. the length of one side of such a ~: he lives a few ~s away.
3》 a large quantity or allocation of things regarded as a unit.
4》 an obstacle to progress.
↘a chock for stopping the motion of a wheel.
5》 a flat area, especially a solid area of colour.
6》 a pulley or system of pulleys mounted in a case.
7》 (also cylinder ~ or engine ~ ) a large metal moulding containing the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine.
8》 (also ~hole ) Cricket the spot on which a batsman rests the end of the bat while waiting to receive a ball.
■ verb
1》 prevent movement or flow in.
2》 impede or prevent (an action or movement).
↘(often ~ something out ) exclude (something unpleasant) from one's mind.
↘(in sport) impede with one's body.
↘ Cricket stop (a ball) with the bat defensively.
3》 impress a design on (a book cover).
4》 ( ~ something out/in ) mark out an outline or shade something in roughly.
↘[as noun ~ing ] the physical arrangement of actors on a stage or film set.
5》 shape (a hat) using a wooden mould.
Phrases
knock someone's ~ off informal hit someone very hard.
on the ( auction ) ~ for sale at auction.
put one's head (or neck ) on the ~ informal put one's standing or reputation at risk by proceeding with an action.
Derivatives
~er noun
~y adjective
Origin
ME (denoting a log or tree stump): from OFr. bloc (n.), bloquer (v.), from MDu. blok , of unknown ultimate origin.