occlude

[uh-klood]

verb (used with object)

occluded, occluding 

1. to close, shut, or stop up (a passage, opening, etc.).

   Synonyms: plug, block, clog, obstruct

2. to shut in, out, or off.

3. Physical Chemistry.,  (of certain metals and other solids) to incorporate (gases and other foreign substances), as by absorption or adsorption.

verb (used without object)

occluded, occluding 

1. Dentistry.,  to shut or close, with the cusps of the opposing teeth of the upper and lower jaws fitting together.

2. Meteorology.,  to form an occluded front.

occlude

/ əˈkluːd /

verb

1. (tr) to block or stop up (a passage or opening); obstruct

2. (tr) to prevent the passage of

3. (tr) chem (of a solid) to incorporate (a substance) by absorption or adsorption

4. meteorol to form or cause to form an occluded front

5. dentistry to produce or cause to produce occlusion, as in chewing

occlude

1. To force air upward from the Earth's surface, as when a cold front overtakes and undercuts a warm front.

Other Word Forms

• occludent adjective
• unoccluded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of occlude¹

1590–1600; < Latin occlūdere to shut up, close up, equivalent to oc- oc- + -clūdere, combining form of claudere to close

Word History and Origins

Origin of occlude¹

C16: from Latin occlūdere, from ob- (intensive) + claudere to close

Example Sentences

The justices should have known their instructions would fall on intentionally occluded ears, because this president is full of caprice, among other things.

Read more on Salon

While Elon Musk's official role in the administration of President Donald Trump is intentionally occluded, it's clear from their joint interviews and press conferences that the billionaire campaign financier holds some serious sway.

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To improve this, Dr Alexander suggests reducing headphone use time and using the transparency mode which can amplify the background noise as well as wearing headphones that don't completely occlude or block the ears.

Read more on BBC

Just a few rows back from the front of the stage, I watched as patches of brown, well-trodden grass — once largely visible minutes earlier — became steadily occluded by hundreds of feet.

Read more on Salon

“I was living in an occluded hallucination,” she says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times