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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. |
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The solid piece of wood on which condemned persons lay
their necks when they are beheaded. |
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The wooden mold on which hats, bonnets, etc., are shaped. |
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The pattern or shape of a hat. |
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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. |
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A square, or portion of a city inclosed by streets,
whether occupied by buildings or not. |
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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. |
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The perch on which a bird of prey is kept. |
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Any obstruction, or cause of obstruction; a stop; a
hindrance; an obstacle; as, a block in the way. |
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A piece of box or other wood for engravers' work. |
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A piece of hard wood (as mahogany or cherry) on which a
stereotype or electrotype plate is mounted to make it type high. |
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A blockhead; a stupid fellow; a dolt. |
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A section of a railroad where the block system is used.
See Block system, below. |
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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. |
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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. |
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To shape on, or stamp with, a block; as, to block a hat. |