I. ˈbläk 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
•
- on the block
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 block ing 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
• block·er noun