block

noun

1. 1

   the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements

2. 2

   a platform from which an auctioneer sells

   they put their paintings on the block

3. 3

   a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

   the pyramids were built with large stone blocks

4. 4

   housing in a large building that is divided into separate units

   there is a block of classrooms in the west wing

5. 5

   an obstruction in a pipe or tube

   we had to call a plumber to clear out the blockage in the drainpipe

6. 6

   a metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine

   the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked

7. 7

   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

8. 8

   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

9. 9

   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

10. 10

    a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings

    he lives in the next block

11. 11

    (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

12. 12

    a three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides