blocker

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɒkə(ɹ)

Etymology 1

From Middle English blocker, blokker, bloker, blokkere, equivalent to block +‎ -er.

Noun

blocker (plural blockers)

1. Agent noun of block (“obstruct or prevent”); something that blocks something else.
   1. (sports) One who blocks or impedes the movement of an opponent.
   2. (cricket) A defensive or low-scoring batter.
   3. (computing) One who prevents another user from contacting them electronically.
      • 2013, Elizabeth Laugeson, The Science of Making Friends:

        Likewise, any connections shared between your child (the blocker) and the user being blocked will also be broken.

   4. (computing) An application that stops / impedes unauthorised access to a programme.

      an ad blocker

      a content blocker

   5. (computing) A bug or issue that prevents software from being released.

      Synonym: showstopper

   6. (marketing) A gatekeeper who refuses the marketer access to the person they wish to contact.
      • 1992, Joan Guiducci, Joan Guiducci's power calling, page 49:

        Sometimes your sales progress skids to a halt. We've all met more blockers than we'd care to. Some are assigned by the company to filter services […]

   7. (biology, medicine) Any of various medications that block (inhibit) the activity of a chemical messenger or its receptors, such as cardiac conduction modifiers (e.g., alpha-blockers), gastric acid inhibitors (H₂ histamine blockers), puberty blockers, and others.
      • 2014, Laura Erickson-Schroth, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 443:

        Blockers can optimize the development of preferred physical characteristics. In trans girls, blockers initiated prior to the development of male secondary sex characteristics will effectively prevent voice deepening, skeletal enlargement, and penile enlargement.

   8. A close-fitting rectangular glove worn by a goalie in multiple forms of hockey.
   9. (poker) A blocker bet.
   10. (card games) A playing card, needed by one player, that is held by another.
2. A person who blocks (stretches or moulds) hats.
   • 2019, John B. Simon, Strangers in a Stranger Land, page 218:

     Because in 1937 Benjamin is still an apprentice, he remains bound to the Eastern Finland Hat Factory. […] Benjamin now does much of the same work as the master cutters and blockers and enjoys their grudging approval of his skills.

3. (in combination) A resident or member of a particular block.
   • 2003, Jeffrey Archer, A Prison Diary Volume II: Purgatory:

     For some inexplicable reason, remote controls are allowed only on D block (the drug-free block). Result? D blockers trade their remotes for drugs. Prison logic.

Synonyms

• (blocker medications): antagonist, receptor antagonist

Derived terms

• adblocker
• alpha-blocker
• alpha blocker
• angiotensin receptor blocker
• antiblocker
• bed blocker
• bed-blocker
• beta blocker
• calcium channel blocker
• chump blocker
• cockblocker
• data blocker
• ganglioblocker
• gawker blocker
• nonblocker
• photoblocker
• popup blocker
• sun blocker
• USB blocker
• USB data blocker
• write blocker
• β-blocker

 

Related terms

• blockade
• blockage

Descendants

• → Polish: bloker, blokers

Translations

something or someone that blocks

• Galician: bloqueador m, bloqueadora f
• Polish: bloker m
• Portuguese: bloqueador m, bloqueadora m
• Spanish: bloqueador m, bloqueadora (es) f

(computing) An application that stops unauthorised access to a programme

• Galician: bloqueador m
• Maori: pūārai
• Portuguese: bloqueador m
• Spanish: bloqueador m

Etymology 2

Noun

blocker (plural blockers) (obsolete, slang, UK, Australia)

1. Synonym of block ornament (“a cheap piece of meat of poor quality”). [from 1848]
   • 1848 April, Fraser's Magazine, volume 396, number 2:

     Forced to substitute a ‘blocker’ of meat, with its cheap accompaniment of bread and vegetables..for poultry and rump-steaks.

Anagrams

• brockle, reblock