Block*ade" (&?;), n. [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.
&fist; 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", 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.
