Block - Definition

n 1: a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular
sides); "the pyramids were built with large stone blocks"
2: a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and
usually containing several buildings; "he lives in the next
block" [syn: block, city block]
3: a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular
sides [syn: block, cube]
4: a number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit;
"he reserved a large block of seats"; "he held a large block
of the company's stock"
5: housing in a large building that is divided into separate
units; "there is a block of classrooms in the west wing"
6: (computer science) a sector or group of sectors that function
as the smallest data unit permitted; "since blocks are often
defined as a single sector, the terms `block' and `sector'
are sometimes used interchangeably"
7: an inability to remember or think of something you normally
can do; often caused by emotional tension; "I knew his name
perfectly well but I had a temporary block" [syn: block,
mental block]
8: a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which
a rope can run to change the direction or point of
application of a force applied to the rope [syn: pulley,
pulley-block, pulley block, block]
9: a metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of
an engine; "the engine had to be replaced because the block
was cracked" [syn: engine block, cylinder block, block]
10: an obstruction in a pipe or tube; "we had to call a plumber
to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe" [syn:
blockage, block, closure, occlusion, stop,
stoppage]
11: a platform from which an auctioneer sells; "they put their
paintings on the block" [syn: auction block, block]
12: the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
[syn: blocking, block]
v 1: render unsuitable for passage; "block the way"; "barricade
the streets"; "stop the busy road" [syn: barricade,
block, blockade, stop, block off, block up,
bar]
2: hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of; "His
brother blocked him at every turn" [syn: obstruct,
blockade, block, hinder, stymie, stymy,
embarrass]
3: stop from happening or developing; "Block his election";
"Halt the process" [syn: stop, halt, block, kibosh]
4: interfere with or prevent the reception of signals; "Jam the
Voice of America"; "block the signals emitted by this
station" [syn: jam, block]
5: run on a block system; "block trains"
6: interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia;
"block a nerve"; "block a muscle"
7: shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from
sight; "The thick curtain blocked the action on the stage";
"The trees obstruct my view of the mountains" [syn:
obstruct, block]
8: stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block;
"block the book cover"
9: obstruct; "My nose is all stuffed"; "Her arteries are
blocked" [syn: stuff, lug, choke up, block] [ant:
loosen up, unstuff]
10: block passage through; "obstruct the path" [syn: obstruct,
obturate, impede, occlude, jam, block, close up]
[ant: disengage, free]
11: support, secure, or raise with a block; "block a plate for
printing"; "block the wheels of a car"
12: impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an
attack" [syn: parry, block, deflect]
13: be unable to remember; "I'm drawing a blank"; "You are
blocking the name of your first wife!" [syn: forget,
block, blank out, draw a blank] [ant: call back,
call up, recall, recollect, remember, retrieve,
think]
14: shape by using a block; "Block a hat"; "block a garment"
15: shape into a block or blocks; "block the graphs so one can
see the results clearly"
16: prohibit the conversion or use of (assets); "Blocked funds";
"Freeze the assets of this hostile government" [syn:
freeze, block, immobilize, immobilise] [ant: free,
release, unblock, unfreeze]