Block
/blɒk/noun
A solid piece of material; also, to obstruct or prevent movement or progress.
Did you know?“Block” entered English through French from a Germanic source, and it originally referred to a lump or mass before it ever meant to stop someone in their tracks.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
block
“A lump, mass, or solid piece of something”
Old French
OF
bloc
“A block, log, or stump”
Frankish / Proto-Germanic
Gmc
*blok-
“A lump, block, or mass”
Modern English
English
block
“A solid piece; an obstruction; to stop or hinder”
Modern English
English
block
“To prevent movement, passage, or progress”
Explore more surprising origins