blockade

block·ade   (blŏ-kād')    n.   The isolation of a nation, area, city, or harbor by hostile ships or forces in order to prevent the entrance and exit of traffic and commerce. The forces used to effect this isolation. tr.v.   block·ad·ed, block·ad·ing, block·ades To set up a blockade against. See Synonyms at besiege. [Probably block + -ade (as in barricade).] block·ad'er n.

Main Entry: ¹block·ade
Pronunciation: blä-'kAd
Function: noun
1 : interruption of normal physiological function (astransmission of nerve impulses) of a tissue or organ
2 : the process of reducing the phagocytic capabilities of the reticuloendothelial system by loading it with harmless material(as India ink or lampblack) which engages its cells in phagocytosis and prevents them from reacting to new antigenic material —compare BLOCKING ANTIBODY

blockade block·ade (blŏ-kād')
n.

1. Intravenous injection of large amounts of colloidal dyes in which the reaction of the reticuloendothelial cells to other influences is temporarily prevented.

2. Arrest of nerve impulse transmission at autonomic synaptic junctions, autonomic receptor sites, or myoneural junctions through the action of a drug.