n.
- a large solid piece of hard material with flat surfaces on each side.
▸a starting block.
▸Printing a piece of wood or metal engraved for printing on paper or fabric.
▸a head-shaped mould used for shaping hats or wigs.
- Brit. a large single building subdivided into separate flats or offices:
a block of flats.
▸a group of buildings bounded by four streets.
▸
N. Amer. the length of one side of such a block:
he lives a few blocks away.
- a large quantity or allocation of things regarded as a unit.
- an obstacle to progress.
▸a chock for stopping the motion of a wheel.
- a flat area, especially a solid area of colour.
- a pulley or system of pulleys mounted in a case.
-
(also cylinder block or engine block)
a large metal moulding containing the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine.
-
(also blockhole)
Cricket the spot on which a batsman rests the end of the bat while waiting to receive a ball.
v.
- prevent movement or flow in.
- impede or prevent (an action or movement).
▸
(often block something out)
exclude (something unpleasant) from one's mind.
▸(in sport) impede with one's body.
▸Cricket stop (a ball) with the bat defensively.
- impress a design on (a book cover).
-
(block something out/in)
mark out an outline or shade something in roughly.
▸
[as noun blocking]
the physical arrangement of actors on a stage or film set.
- shape (a hat) using a wooden mould.
Phrase
- knock someone's block off
informal hit someone very hard. - on the
(auction)
block
for sale at auction. - put one's head
(or neck)
on the block
informal put one's standing or reputation at risk by proceeding with an action.
Derivative
Etymology
ME (denoting a log or tree stump): from OFr. bloc (n.), bloquer (v.), from MDu. blok, of unknown ultimate origin.