I. (ˈ)blä|kād noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: block (II) + -ade
1.
a. : a measure of war involving the isolation by a belligerent of a particular area vital to the interests of an enemy through deployment of any part of its armed forces so as to effectively hamper ingress and egress and harass the enemy by cutting off trade, communications, and supplies, being commonly agreed as legal against neutral nations only after due notice has been given and when carried on with such force as required to make passage through the area a real hazard but when so established and maintained permitting the seizure, detention, or sometimes destruction of neutral property found in the area ; broadly : any restrictive measure or measures designed to obstruct the commerce and communications of an unfriendly nation whether or not a formal state of war exists
b. : something that acts in the manner of a blockade to prevent free and normal exchange (as of ideas)
only clear thinking can free us from our emotional blockade and dissipate our prejudices
2.
a. : something that constitutes an obstacle to passage ; especially : a blocking of a pass or way (as by snow)
b. : block I 3b, 3c
c. : the filling of the receptive cells of the reticulo-endothelial system with material that is expected to prevent their taking up any new antigenic material — compare blocking antibody
3. chiefly Midland : moonshine 3
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to effect a blockade of (as a port, coast, or fleet) : subject (as a nation) to a blockade : invest
2. : to close with obstructions : block , obstruct