unblock

American  

[uhn-blok] / ʌnˈblɒk /

verb (used with object)

1. to remove a block or obstruction from.

   to unblock a channel; to unblock a person's credit.

2. Bridge. to play (a suit) so that the last card of the suit in one hand can provide access to the hand of the partnership having the longer holding in the suit.

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unblock British  

/ ʌnˈblɒk /

verb

1. to remove a blockage from (a pipe, etc)

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Etymology

Origin of unblock

First recorded in 1605–15; un- ² + block

Explanation

If you unblock something, you free it or clear it of anything that's in its way. A plumber's frequent task is to unblock pipes so water can move through them. You can unblock your stuffed-up nose by blowing into a tissue, or unblock the driveway by moving your bike into the garage. Cardiologists, or heart doctors, often need to operate on patients in order to unblock their clogged arteries, so blood can flow freely. Unblock comes from adding the "reversal" prefix un- to the verb block, "obstruct or hinder passage."

Example Sentences

Unblock, un-blok′, v.i. at whist, to throw away a high card so as not to interrupt one's partner's long suit.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Related Words

• ameliorate
• disentangle
• unclog