Oh my word Bloc, Block

There are blocs in the world to promote trade, commerce and political goals among the member countries such as NAFTA, EU, SAARC, ASEAN and others. However, a country cannot be blocked by the bloc in forging bilateral relations with another country.

Bloc is a group of countries that come together for cooperation and promoting common interests such as military, trade and commerce and, political and economic goals. Bloc is also a group of people such as voters, politicians, ideologues who share common goals. Bloc is French in origin, pronounced as blok, its plural is blocs.

All India Forward Bloc is a political party founded by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. Forward Bloc exists predominantly in the states of West Bengal and Kerala. Forward Bloc is in alliance with other Left parties like CPI & CPI (M). Russia, China and India (RIC) are emerging as the Asian bloc as a countervailing force to the US and its western allies.

Bloc Québécois is a political party in Canada. Its goal is for independence or sovereignty for Quebec. Block has many meanings and functions as more than two parts of speech. Refer to a dictionary for a comprehensive meaning of the word. Block as a noun refers to piece of wood, stone, metal, etc; large building divided into parts or a building bounded by streets on all the sides; obstruction caused by someone or something for movement or passage such a block in the pipes, drainage, gutter, sewage or that which prevents movement of vehicles on the road.

Block as a verb refers to putting an obstacle to something. The verb forms of block are blocks, blocked and blocking. Block forms many compound words: block and tackle, block capital, block diagram, block out or black out, blockade, blockader, blockbuster, blockbusting, blockhead, blockheaded, blockheadedly, blockheadedness, blockish, block-maker, block-making, block-ship, blocky, blockhouse

The road was blocked by protestors against the government for its negligence over upgrading public schools. The drainage pipes have to be checked periodically to clear the blockages. I live in a block next to the World Trade centre. Block out and blackout: block out means to prevent something from entering into something or somewhere (Sunbathers are advised to apply sun cream as a block out UV rays); blackout means temporary loss of consciousness.

Power or electricity blackouts are not uncommon in India, so are the bus and railway stations which are chock-a-block. Blockbuster is a hit movie or a book, and also refers to a high-explosive bomb. Block letter or block capital is a capital letter

And there is a writer’s block…

Kovuuri G Reddy