block
     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: {city block}]
     3: a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular
        sides [syn: {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: {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}]
     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}]
     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}]
     11: a platform from which an auctioneer sells; "they put their
         paintings on the block" [syn: {auction block}]
     12: (American football) the act of obstructing someone's path
         with your body; "he threw a rolling block into the line
         backer" [syn: {blocking}, {interference}]
     v 1: render unsuitable for passage; "block the way"; "barricade
          the streets"; "stop the busy road" [syn: {barricade}, {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},
         {hinder}, {stymie}, {stymy}, {embarrass}]
     3: stop from happening or developing; "Block his election";
        "Halt the process" [syn: {stop}, {halt}, {kibosh}]
     4: interfere with or prevent the reception of signals; "Jam the
        Voice of America"; "block the signals emitted by this
        station" [syn: {jam}]
     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}]
     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}] [ant: {unstuff}]
     10: block passage through; "obstruct the path" [syn: {obstruct},
          {obturate}, {impede}, {occlude}, {jam}, {close up}]
         [ant: {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}, {deflect}]
     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}]
     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},
          {immobilize}, {immobilise}] [ant: {unblock}, {unblock}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0

block v. [common; from process scheduling terminology in OS theory] 1.
   vi. To delay or sit idle while waiting for something. "We're blocking
   until everyone gets here." Compare {busy-wait}. 2. `block on' vt. To
   block, waiting for (something). "Lunch is blocked on Phil's arrival."


Source: The Jargon File