block
1. a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides) (Freq. 29) - the pyramids were built with large stone blocks • Derivationally related forms: blocky • Hypernyms: artifact, artefact • Hyponyms: anvil, briquette, briquet, cake, bar, chock, wedge, chopping block, crosshead, cube, square block, domino, ingot, metal bar, block of metal, nog, nut, pad, inkpad, inking pad, stamp pad, slab, starting block, step, swage block, type 2. a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings (Freq. 6) - he lives in the next block • Syn: city block • Hypernyms: area, country 3. a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides (Freq. 1) • Syn: cube • Derivationally related forms: cuboidal (for: cube), cubical (for: cube), cube (for: cube), blocky • Hypernyms: solid • Hyponyms: goldbrick 4. a number or quantity of related things dealt with as a unit (Freq. 1) - he reserved a large block of seats - he held a large block of the company's stock • Hypernyms: collection, aggregation, accumulation, assemblage 5. housing in a large building that is divided into separate units (Freq. 1) - there is a block of classrooms in the west wing • Hypernyms: housing, lodging, living accommodations • Hyponyms: cellblock, ward, hospital ward 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 • Topics: computer science, computing • Hypernyms: computer memory unit • Hyponyms: bad block • Part Meronyms: sector 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: mental block • Hypernyms: inability • Hyponyms: writer's 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 • Hypernyms: machine, simple machine • Hyponyms: bollock, bullock block, fairlead, idle pulley, idler pulley, idle wheel • Part Holonyms: block and tackle 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 • Hypernyms: cast, casting • Part Holonyms: internal-combustion engine, ICE, reciprocating engine • Part Meronyms: cylinder, piston chamber 10. an obstruction in a pipe or tube - we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe • Syn: blockage, closure, occlusion, stop, stoppage • Derivationally related forms: block (for: blockage) • Hypernyms: obstruction, obstructor, obstructer, impediment, impedimenta • Hyponyms: breechblock, breech closer, plug, stopper, stopple, vapor lock, vapour lock 11. a platform from which an auctioneer sells - they put their paintings on the block • Syn: auction block • Hypernyms: platform 12. the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements • Syn: blocking • Derivationally related forms: block (for: blocking) • Hypernyms: obstruction • Hyponyms: interference, trap block, parry
1. render unsuitable for passage (Freq. 7) - block the way - barricade the streets - stop the busy road • Syn: barricade, blockade, stop, block off, block up, bar • Derivationally related forms: bar (for: bar), stop (for: stop), stopper (for: stop), blockade (for: blockade), blockage, blocking, barricade (for: barricade) • Hypernyms: obstruct, obturate, impede, occlude, jam, close up • Hyponyms: shut off, block off, close off, close • Verb Group: obstruct • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something - Something ----s something 2. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of (Freq. 3) - His brother blocked him at every turn • Syn: obstruct, blockade, hinder, stymie, stymy, embarrass • Derivationally related forms: stymie (for: stymie), hindrance (for: hinder), blockage, obstruction (for: obstruct), obstructer (for: obstruct), obstructor (for: obstruct) • Hypernyms: prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid • Hyponyms: stonewall, filibuster, check, hang, bottleneck • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something - Something ----s something 3. stop from happening or developing (Freq. 1) - Block his election - Halt the process • Syn: stop, halt, kibosh • Derivationally related forms: blockage, halt (for: halt), stop (for: stop) • Hypernyms: prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid • Hyponyms: embargo, stay • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something - They block him from writing the letter 4. interfere with or prevent the reception of signals (Freq. 1) - Jam the Voice of America - block the signals emitted by this station • Syn: jam • Derivationally related forms: jam (for: jam), jamming (for: jam) • Hypernyms: interrupt, disrupt, break up, cut off • Hyponyms: barrage jam, point jam, spot jam, blanket jam • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something - Something ----s something 5. run on a block system - block trains • Hypernyms: operate, run • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something 6. interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia - block a nerve - block a muscle • Derivationally related forms: blocker • Hypernyms: anesthetize, anaesthetize, anesthetise, anaesthetise, put under, put out • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something - Something ----s something 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 • Derivationally related forms: blockage • Hypernyms: hide, conceal • Verb Group: barricade, blockade, stop, block off, block up, bar • Verb Frames: - Something ----s something 8. stamp or emboss a title or design on a book with a block - block the book cover • Hypernyms: emboss, boss, stamp • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something 9. obstruct - My nose is all stuffed - Her arteries are blocked • Syn: stuff, lug, choke up • Ant: unstuff (for: stuff) • Derivationally related forms: blockage • Hypernyms: clog, choke off, clog up, back up, congest, choke, foul • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something - Something ----s something 10. block passage through - obstruct the path • Syn: obstruct, obturate, impede, occlude, jam, close up • Ant: free (for: obstruct) • Derivationally related forms: blocking, occlusive (for: occlude), occlusion (for: occlude), impediment (for: impede), obturator (for: obturate), obstructive (for: obstruct), obstruction (for: obstruct), obstructer (for: obstruct), obstructor (for: obstruct) • Hypernyms: impede, hinder • Hyponyms: blockade, block off, barricade, barricado, suffocate, stifle, asphyxiate, choke, tie up, dam, dam up, screen, block out, land up, earth up, stop, block up, block up, clog, choke off, clog up, back up, congest, foul • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something - Something ----s something 11. support, secure, or raise with a block - block a plate for printing - block the wheels of a car • Hypernyms: hold, support, sustain, hold up • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something 12. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball) - block an attack • Syn: parry, deflect • Derivationally related forms: blocker, blockage, blocking, parry (for: parry) • Hypernyms: fence • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something 13. be unable to remember - I'm drawing a blank - You are blocking the name of your first wife! • Syn: forget, blank out, draw a blank • Ant: remember (for: forget) • Hyponyms: slip, slip one's mind • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s - Somebody ----s something - Somebody ----s somebody - Somebody ----s that CLAUSE 14. shape by using a block - Block a hat - block a garment • Hypernyms: shape, form • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something 15. shape into a block or blocks - block the graphs so one can see the results clearly • Hypernyms: shape, form • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something 16. prohibit the conversion or use of (assets) - Blocked funds - Freeze the assets of this hostile government • Syn: freeze, immobilize, immobilise • Ant: unblock, unfreeze (for: freeze) • Derivationally related forms: freeze (for: freeze) • Hypernyms: withhold, keep back • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s something - They block the money
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