A block having a hole in one side to receive the bight of a rope.

A single movable pulley in a rope and pulley system, having a rope not shared by other pulleys. Obsolete.

A small block (block, n. 2a) used to raise and lower the topgallant yards, and (perhaps) to send up the jackstaff.

A pulley block containing several pulleys.

elliptical. (See quot. 1867 and snatch-block, n.)

(see quot. 1858).

a block between a beam and a tie-rod in a truss, serving to keep them apart (Cent. Dict. 1891).

a form of sheave or pulley-block somewhat resembling a spider in construction.

(a) Politics = power bloc n.; (b) Fishing a power-driven pulley used to haul in a fishing net.