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obstruct

ob·struct [ əb strúkt, ob strúkt ] (past and past participle ob·struct·ed, present participle ob·struct·ing, 3rd person present singular ob·structs)


transitive verb 
Definition:
 
1. prevent clear passage: to cause a blockage in a road, course, or passage

2. slow somebody or something down: to cause a serious delay in action or progress

3. impede view: to be in the way and prevent a clear view of something

[Early 17th century. < Latin obstructus, past participle of obstruere "build up against" < struere "heap up, pile"]

ob·struc·tor noun

Word Key: Synonyms

See hinder1.

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