block

n.

1. A mass, usually with flat surfaces

   slab, chunk, piece, square, cake, cube, slice, segment, loaf, clod, bar, ingot, oblong, section, mill end, hunk*; see also brick, slab, stone.

2. The area between streets

   square, city square, lots, neighborhood; see neighborhood.

3. The distance of the side of a block, sense 2

   street, city block, intersection; see distance 3.

4. An obstruction

   hindrance, bar, obstacle; see barrier.

5. In sports, an obstruction to a move or play

   charge, tackle, check, body check, body block, running block, cross-body block, downfield block, pick (in basketball).

6. A massive object

   chunk, mass, impediment, solid, cylinder block, slab, base; see also sense 1.

7. A pulley

   sheave, wheel, hoist, rope-block, chain-block, lift.

8. A chunk used for chopping

   chopping block, slab, breadboard, cheeseboard, table, butcher block, cutting board.

9. Place of execution

   headsman's block, guillotine, scaffold, stake, tree, cross, gibbet; see also gallows.

knock someone's block off*

block

v.

1. To impede

   obstruct, interfere with, prevent, close off; see bar 1, hinder.

2. In sports, to impede a play

   throw a block, tackle, charge, check, block out, take out of play.

3. To shape on or as if on a block

   press, shape, reshape, mold; see form 1. See syn. study at hinder.