Category:Blockade

Block*ade", n. Etym: [Cf. It. bloccata. See Block, v. t. ]

1. The shutting up of a place by troops or ships, with the purpose of preventing ingress or egress, or the reception of supplies; as, the blockade of the ports of an enemy.

Note: Blockade is now usually applied to an investment with ships or vessels, while siege is used of an investment by land forces. To constitute a blockade, the investing power must be able to apply its force to every point of practicable access, so as to render it dangerous to attempt to enter; and there is no blockade of that port where its force can not be brought to bear. Kent.

2. An obstruction to passage. To raise a blockade. See under Raise.

Blockade Block*ade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Blockaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Blockading.]

1. To shut up, as a town or fortress, by investing it with troops or vessels or war for the purpose of preventing ingress or egress, or the introduction of supplies. See note under Blockade, n. "Blockaded the place by sea." Gilpin.

2. Hence, to shut in so as to prevent egress. Till storm and driving ice blockade him there. Wordsworth.

3. To obstruct entrance to or egress from. Huge bales of British cloth blockade the door. Pope.