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occlude

occlude


oc·clude    Audio Help   (ə-klōōd')   

v.   oc·clud·ed, oc·clud·ing, oc·cludes

v.   tr.

  1. To cause to become closed; obstruct: occlude an artery.

  2. To prevent the passage of: occlude light; occlude the flow of blood.

  3. Chemistry To absorb or adsorb and retain (a substance).

  4. Meteorology To force (air) upward from the earth's surface, as when a cold front overtakes and undercuts a warm front.

  5. Dentistry To bring together (the upper and lower teeth) in proper alignment for chewing.

v.   intr. Dentistry
To close so that the cusps fit together. Used of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws.

[Latin occlūdere : ob-, intensive pref.; see ob- + claudere, to close.]
oc·clud'ent adj.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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