BLOCK, n. 1. A heavy piece of timber or wood, usually with one plain surface;or it is rectangular, and rather thick than long.2. Any mass of matter with an extended surface; as a block of marble, a piece rough from the quarry.3. A massy body, solid and heavy; a mass of wood, iron, or other metal, with at least one plain surface, such as artificers use.4. The wood on which criminals are beheaded.5. Any obstruction, or cause of obstruction; a stop; hindrance; obstacle.6. A piece of wood in which a pulley runs; used also for the pulley, or the block itself and the sheaves, or wheels.7. A blockhead; a stupid fellow.8. Among cutters in wood, a form made of hard wood, on which they cut figures in relief with knives,chisels, &c.9. In falconry, the perch whereon a bird of prey is kept.BLOCK, v.t. To inclose or shut up, so as to hinder egress or passage; to stop up; to obstruct,by placing obstacles in the way; often followed by up; as, to block up a town,or a road.
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