I. ˈchäk noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. also chuck ˈchək : a wedge or block (as of wood or metal) for steadying a body (as a cask or boat) and holding it motionless, or for filling in an unwanted space, or for blocking the movement of a wheel (as of a vehicle)
2. Britain : cog VIII 2
3. : a heavy metal casting fitted usually at the sides of the upper deck and at the bow and stern of a ship and having two short horn-shaped arms curving inward between which ropes or hawsers may pass for mooring or towing — compare cleat I 1b
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to provide, fit, stop, or make fast with or as if with chocks — often used with off
2. : to raise or support with chocks
3. : choke
caves and inlets chocked up with cinders — Norman Douglas
intransitive verb
: to fit closely — used with in or into
III. adverb
or chuck ˈchək
: as close as possible
chock aft
chock up against the wall
: as nearly or as completely as possible
a wagon chock full of chunks of wood
— usually used with another adverb or an adjective
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: imitative
: a sharp somewhat hollow sound (as of wooden blocks striking together)
the loud chock of croquet balls
V. noun
: a metal wedge, nut, or block inserted into a crack in a rock face as an aid to climbing