(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.
