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Webster 1913 Edition


Blockade

Block-ade′

,
Noun.
[Cf. It.
bloccata
. See
Block
,
Verb.
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
.
☞ 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
.

Block-ade′

,
Verb.
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
,
Noun.
“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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Blockade

BLOCKA'DE

,
Noun.
The siege of a place,formed by surrounding it with hostile troops or ships, or by posting them at all the avenues, to prevent escape,and hinder supplies of provisions and ammunition from entering, with a view to compel a surrender,by hunger and want, without regular attacks.
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 cannot be brought to bear.

BLOCKA'DE

,
Verb.
T.
To shut up a town or fortress, by posting troops at all the avenues, to compel the garrison or inhabitants to surrender by means of hunger and want, without regular attacks; also,to station ships of war to obstruct all intercourse with a town or nation.