occlude
|oc-clude|
/əˈkluːd/
shut/blocked
Etymology
'occlude' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'occludere', where 'ob-/oc-' meant 'against' (or 'toward' in some uses) and 'claudere' meant 'to close'.
'occlude' changed from the Latin verb 'occludere' (Late/Medieval Latin usage) and entered scientific and general English with the modern form 'occlude'.
Initially, it meant 'to shut or close against', but over time it evolved into the broader modern sense 'to block, obstruct, or close off (a passage)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to block, shut, or stop up a passage or opening; to make something impassable.
Thick smoke can occlude the exits, making evacuation difficult.
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Verb 2
(Medical/technical) To close or stop a vessel or passage (e.g., an artery) often by blockage or by surgical means.
The surgeon may occlude the artery to stop the bleeding.
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Last updated: 2025/10/26 23:09