blockade
Noun · VerbOpen English WordNet
Noun (2)
- a war measure that isolates some area of importance to the enemySynonyms: encirclementType of military action, actionKinds naval blockade, siege
- prevents access or progressType of obstruction, obstructor
Verb (4)blockaded, blockading
- hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of“His brother blocked him at every turn”Synonyms: obstructblockhinderstymiestymyembarrassMore general prevent, forestallMore specific check, filibuster, bottleneck, stonewall, hang
- render unsuitable for passage“block the way”“barricade the streets”“stop the busy road”Synonyms: barricadeblockstopblock offblock upbarMore general obstruct, obturateMore specific shut off, closeSimilar obstruct, block
- obstruct access toSynonyms: block offMore general obstruct, obturate
- impose a blockade onSynonyms: seal offMore general besiege, beleaguer
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: Cf. It. bloccata. See Block, transitive verb
1. The shutting up of a place by troops or ships, with the purpose of preventing ingress or egress, or the reception of supplies; as, the blockade of the ports of an enemy.
☞ Blockade is now usually applied to an investment with ships or vessels, while siege is used of an investment by land forces. To constitute a blockade, the investing power must be able to apply its force to every point of practicable access, so as to render it dangerous to attempt to enter; and there is no blockade of that port where its force can not be brought to bear. James Kent
2. An obstruction to passage.
3. physiology interference with transmission of a physiological signal, or a physiological reaction.
To raise a blockade. See under Raise.
1. To shut up, as a town or fortress, by investing it with troops or vessels or war for the purpose of preventing ingress or egress, or the introduction of supplies. See note under Blockade, noun “Blockaded the place by sea.” William Gilpin
2. Hence, to shut in so as to prevent egress.
Till storm and driving ice blockade him there.— William Wordsworth
3. To obstruct entrance to or egress from.
Huge bales of British cloth blockade the door.— Alexander Pope
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: GCIDE editors