ob·struct

[uhb-struhkt]
verb (used with object)
1.
to block or close up with an obstacle; make difficult to pass: Debris obstructed the road.
2.
to interrupt, hinder, or oppose the passage, progress, course, etc., of.
3.
to block from sight; to be in the way of (a view, passage, etc.).

Origin:
1605–15; < Latin obstructus (past participle of obstruere to build or pile up in the way, bar). See ob-, construct

ob·struct·ed·ly, adverb
ob·struct·er, ob·struc·tor, noun
ob·struct·ing·ly, adverb
ob·struc·tive, adjective
ob·struc·tive·ly, adverb
ob·struc·tive·ness, ob·struc·tiv·i·ty [ob-struhk-tiv-i-tee] , noun
non·ob·struc·tive, adjective
non·ob·struc·tive·ly, adverb
non·ob·struc·tive·ness, noun
pre·ob·struct, verb (used with object)
un·ob·struct·ed, adjective
un·ob·struc·tive, adjective


1. stop, choke, clog, hinder, impede, prevent; check, slow, retard, arrest.


1. encourage, further.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Obstruct is one of our favorite verbs.
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World English Dictionary
obstruct (əbˈstrʌkt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to block (a road, passageway, etc) with an obstacle
2.  to make (progress or activity) difficult
3.  to impede or block a clear view of
 
[C17: Latin obstructus built against, past participle of obstruere, from ob- against + struere to build]
 
ob'structor
 
n
 
ob'structive
 
adj, —n
 
ob'structively
 
adv
 
ob'structiveness
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

obstruct
1610s, from L. obstructus, pp. of obstruere "to block, to stop up" (see obstruction). Related: Obstructed; obstructing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

obstruct ob·struct (əb-strŭkt', ŏb-)
v. ob·struct·ed, ob·struct·ing, ob·structs
To block or close a body passage so as to hinder or interrupt a flow.


ob·struc'tive adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
He will still cheat, and he will certainly try to obstruct the outsiders' view
  of his skulduggery.
Their actions obstruct community-sponsored projects for low-income housing.
Disinformation and distortion obstruct all sensible tax reform.
Make sure the teacher's bench doesn't obstruct the board.
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