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Block vs Sling - What's the difference?

block | sling |

As nouns the difference between block and sling

is that block is a substantial, often approximately cuboid, piece of any substance while sling is an instrument for throwing stones or other missiles, consisting of a short strap with two strings fastened to its ends, or with a string fastened to one end and a light stick to the other.

As verbs the difference between block and sling

is that block is to fill (something) so that it is not possible to pass while sling is to throw with a circular or arcing motion.

block

English

(wikipedia block)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A substantial, often approximately cuboid, piece of any substance.
  • *
    • You young porkers who are sitting in front of me, every one of you will scream your lives out at the block within a year.
    A block of ice.
    A block of stone.
    Anne Boleyn placed her head on the block and awaited her execution.
  • A group of urban lots of property, several acres in extent, not crossed by public streets.
    • I'm going for a walk around the block .
  • A residential building consisting of flats.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham)
    • , title=(The China Governess) , chapter=Foreword citation , passage=He turned back to the scene before him and the enormous new block' of council dwellings. The design was some way after Corbusier but the ' block was built up on plinths and resembled an Atlantic liner swimming diagonally across the site.}}
    A block of flats.
  • The distance from one street to another in a city that is built (approximately) to a grid pattern.
    • The place you are looking for is two long blocks''' east and one short '''block north.
  • (slang) The human head.
    • I'll knock your block off.
  • A wig block: a simplified head model upon which wigs are worn.
  • * 1851 , (Herman Melville), (Moby Dick) ,
    • Next morning, Monday, after disposing of the embalmed head to a barber, for a block , I settled my own and comrade’s bill; using, however, my comrade’s money.
  • A mould on which hats, bonnets, etc., are shaped.
  • * Shakespeare
    • He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the next block .
  • A set of sheets (of paper) joined together at one end.
    • A block of 100 tickets.
  • (computing) A logical data storage unit containing one or more physical sectors (see cluster).
  • (computing) A region of code in a program that acts as a single unit, such as a function or loop.
  • (cryptography) A fixed-length group of bits making up part of a message.
  • (rigging) A case with one or more sheaves/pulleys, used with ropes to increase or redirect force, for example, as part of the rigging of a sailing ship.
  • (chemistry) A portion of a macromolecule, comprising many units, that has at least one feature not present in adjacent portions.
  • Something that prevents something from passing (see blockage).
    • There's a block in the pipe that means the water can't get through.
  • (sports) An action to interfere with the movement of an opposing player or of the object of play (ball, puck).
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011
    • , date=February 12 , author=Oliver Brett , title=Sunderland 1–2 Tottenham , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The match proved an unedifying spectacle until Spurs won a corner following their first move of real quality, John Mensah making an important block with Jermain Defoe poised to strike. }}
  • (cricket) A shot played by holding the bat vertically in the path of the ball, so that it loses momentum and drops to the ground.
  • (volleyball) A defensive play by one or more players meant to deflect a spiked ball back to the hitter’s court.
  • (philately) A joined group of four (or in some cases nine) postage stamps, forming a roughly square shape.
  • A section of split logs used as fuel.
  • (UK) Solitary confinement.
  • A cellblock.
  • (falconry) The perch on which a bird of prey is kept.
  • (printing, dated) A piece of hard wood on which a stereotype or electrotype plate is mounted.
  • (obsolete) A blockhead; a stupid fellow; a dolt.
  • * Shakespeare
    • What a block art thou!
  • A section of a railroad where the block system is used.

    • Synonyms

    * See also * city block

    Related terms

    *

    Derived terms

    ; cuboid * * * * ; group of buildings * * * * * ; computing * ; distance * ; cutting base * * ; prevent passage * * * * * * ; rigging * * ; human head * * * ; volleyball * * * ; miscellaneous * * * * *

    Synonyms

    * (volleyball) stuff, roof, wall

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To fill (something) so that it is not possible to pass.
    • The pipe is blocked .
  • To prevent (something or someone) from passing.
    • You're blocking the road – I can't get through.
  • To prevent (something from happening or someone from doing something).
    • His plan to take over the business was blocked by the boss.
  • (sports) To impede an opponent.
    • He blocked the basketball player's shot.
    The offensive linemen tried to block the blitz.
  • (theater) To specify the positions and movements of the actors.
    • It was very difficult to block this scene convincingly.
  • (cricket) To hit with a block.
  • (cricket) To play a block shot.
  • To disable communication via telephone, instant messaging, etc., with an undesirable someone.
    • I tried to send you a message, but you've blocked me!
  • (computing) To wait.
    • When the condition expression is false, the thread blocks on the condition variable.
  • To stretch or mould (a knitted item, a hat, etc.) into the desired shape.
    • I blocked the mittens by wetting them and pinning them to a shaped piece of cardboard.

    Related terms

    * * * * * * *

    sling

    English

    Verb

  • To throw with a circular or arcing motion.
    • (Addison)
  • To throw with a sling.
  • * Bible, Judges xx. 16
    • Everyone could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss.
  • (nautical) To pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.

    • Derived terms

    * undersling

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (weapon) An instrument for throwing stones or other missiles, consisting of a short strap with two strings fastened to its ends, or with a string fastened to one end and a light stick to the other.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1786, author=Francis Grose, title=A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page=43
    • , passage=The Sling is also a weapon of great antiquity, formerly in high estimation among the ancients.}}
  • A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported.
  • A loop of cloth, worn around the neck, for supporting a baby.
  • A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering.
  • A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder.
  • (nautical) A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast; -- chiefly in the plural.
  • The act or motion of hurling as with a sling; a throw; figuratively, a stroke.
  • * Milton
    • At one sling / Of thy victorious arm, well-pleasing Son.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1600, author=William Shakespeare, title=Hamlet'', Act III, Scene I, line 55
    • , passage=To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them.}}
  • (climbing) A loop of rope or fabric tape used for various purposes: e.g. as part of a runner, or providing extra protection when abseiling or belaying.
  • A drink composed of a spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened.
    • gin sling
    a Singapore sling