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Hoisted as high as the tackle will admit; brought close together, as the two blocks of a tackle in hoisting.

See Fish-tackle.

A false spur or gaff, fitted on the heel of a gamecock. Wright.

See under Pillow.

A pillow block.

a kind of block with an opening in one side to receive the bight of a rope.

of stumbling, perplexity, or error. We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. 1 Cor. i. 23.

A block with a tail. See Tail, 9.

A large ironbound block strapped with a hook, and, when used, hung to an eyebolt in the cap, -- used in swaying and lowering the topmast. Totten.

In breech-loading firearms, the block behind the barrel which receives the pressure due to recoil.

An iron block, usually with a steel face, upon which metals are hammered and shaped.

Hewn or squared stone; also, masonry made of squared or hewn stone. Rough ashlar, a block of freestone as brought from the quarry. When hammer-dressed it is known as common ashlar. Knight.

A type or block containing a facsimile of an autograph. Knight.

, etc. (Arch.), an architrave, pier, etc., of which the regular profile is interrupted by blocks or projections crossing it at right angles.

uct the progress or attack of an enemy. It is usually an obstruction formed in streets to block an enemy's access.

A block covered with coarse matting; -- used to scour the deck. Australian bear. (Zoöl.) See Koala. -- Bear baiting, the sport of baiting bears with dogs. -- Bear caterpillar (Zoöl.), the hairy larva of a moth, esp. of the genus Euprepia. -- Bear garden. (a) A place where bears are kept for diversion or fighting. (b…

The place or material in which a block or brick is laid.

to the sides of the bowsprit, to reeve the fore-topmast stays through; -- called also bee blocks. Bee beetle (Zoöl.), a beetle (Trichodes apiarius) parasitic in beehives. -- Bee bird (Zoöl.), a bird that eats the honeybee, as the European flycatcher, and the American kingbird. -- Bee flower (Bot.), an orchidaceous pl…

A stupid fellow; a blockhead. Sir W. Scott.

To lie in wait for with a view to assault. Hence: to block up or obstruct. [Obs.] Dryden. Belay thee! Stop.