Definition of block

• v. t. - A piece of wood more or less bulky; a solid mass of wood, stone, etc., usually with one or more plane, or approximately plane, faces; as, a block on which a butcher chops his meat; a block by which to mount a horse; children's playing blocks, etc.
• v. t. - The solid piece of wood on which condemned persons lay their necks when they are beheaded.
• v. t. - The wooden mold on which hats, bonnets, etc., are shaped.
• v. t. - The pattern or shape of a hat.
• v. t. - A large or long building divided into separate houses or shops, or a number of houses or shops built in contact with each other so as to form one building; a row of houses or shops.
• v. t. - A square, or portion of a city inclosed by streets, whether occupied by buildings or not.
• v. t. - A grooved pulley or sheave incased in a frame or shell which is provided with a hook, eye, or strap, by which it may be attached to an object. It is used to change the direction of motion, as in raising a heavy object that can not be conveniently reached, and also, when two or more such sheaves are compounded, to change the rate of motion, or to exert increased force; -- used especially in the rigging of ships, and in tackles.
• v. t. - The perch on which a bird of prey is kept.
• v. t. - Any obstruction, or cause of obstruction; a stop; a hindrance; an obstacle; as, a block in the way.
• v. t. - A piece of box or other wood for engravers' work.
• v. t. - A piece of hard wood (as mahogany or cherry) on which a stereotype or electrotype plate is mounted to make it type high.
• v. t. - A blockhead; a stupid fellow; a dolt.
• v. t. - A section of a railroad where the block system is used. See Block system, below.
• n. - To obstruct so as to prevent passage or progress; to prevent passage from, through, or into, by obstructing the way; -- used both of persons and things; -- often followed by up; as, to block up a road or harbor.
• n. - To secure or support by means of blocks; to secure, as two boards at their angles of intersection, by pieces of wood glued to each.
• n. - To shape on, or stamp with, a block; as, to block a hat.
• v. t. - A piece of wood more or less bulky; a solid mass of wood, stone, etc., usually with one or more plane, or approximately plane, faces; as, a block on which a butcher chops his meat; a block by which to mount a horse; children's playing blocks, etc.
• v. t. - The solid piece of wood on which condemned persons lay their necks when they are beheaded.
• v. t. - The wooden mold on which hats, bonnets, etc., are shaped.
• v. t. - The pattern or shape of a hat.
• v. t. - A large or long building divided into separate houses or shops, or a number of houses or shops built in contact with each other so as to form one building; a row of houses or shops.
• v. t. - A square, or portion of a city inclosed by streets, whether occupied by buildings or not.
• v. t. - A grooved pulley or sheave incased in a frame or shell which is provided with a hook, eye, or strap, by which it may be attached to an object. It is used to change the direction of motion, as in raising a heavy object that can not be conveniently reached, and also, when two or more such sheaves are compounded, to change the rate of motion, or to exert increased force; -- used especially in the rigging of ships, and in tackles.
• v. t. - The perch on which a bird of prey is kept.
• v. t. - Any obstruction, or cause of obstruction; a stop; a hindrance; an obstacle; as, a block in the way.
• v. t. - A piece of box or other wood for engravers' work.
• v. t. - A piece of hard wood (as mahogany or cherry) on which a stereotype or electrotype plate is mounted to make it type high.
• v. t. - A blockhead; a stupid fellow; a dolt.
• v. t. - A section of a railroad where the block system is used. See Block system, below.
• n. - To obstruct so as to prevent passage or progress; to prevent passage from, through, or into, by obstructing the way; -- used both of persons and things; -- often followed by up; as, to block up a road or harbor.
• n. - To secure or support by means of blocks; to secure, as two boards at their angles of intersection, by pieces of wood glued to each.
• n. - To shape on, or stamp with, a block; as, to block a hat.