The Collaborative International Dictionary
Obstruct \Ob*struct"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obstructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Obstructing.] [L. obstructus, p. p. of obstruere to build up before or against, to obstruct; ob (see Ob-) + struere to pile up. See Structure.]
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To block up; to stop up or close, as a way or passage; to place an obstacle in, or fill with obstacles or impediments that prevent or hinder passing; as, to obstruct a street; to obstruct the channels of the body.
'T is the obstructed paths of sound shall clear.
--Pope. -
To be, or come, in the way of; to hinder from passing; to stop; to impede; to retard; as, the bar in the harbor obstructs the passage of ships; clouds obstruct the light of the sun; unwise rules obstruct legislation. ``Th' impatience of obstructed love.''
--Johnson.Syn: To bar; barricade; stop; arrest; check; interrupt; clog; choke; impede; retard; embarrass; oppose.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of obstruct lang= en)
Usage examples of "obstructing".
Prosecution replied that the defendant was deliberately obstructing justice by appearing with look-alike escorts.
And if Peter's working for NASA, Barchenka can't say Talent has been obstructing Padrugoi's timely completion.
You could save yourself an extra charge of obstructing investigations if you'll give us some idea where he might be found.
There were also rumors that complaints had been issued to the market manager that people were obstructing the way to and from other stalls by gathering thickly in front of the "coffee bar.
His belligerent stance, obstructing the way to the Gate, halted them all.
And for the next hour and a half, on, on they tramped, in Indian file, and almost unbroken silence, making headway with their long, loping steps, notwithstanding the obstructing fallen trees, brushwood, and constantly occurring inequalities of the ground, with a speed which none but practised woodsmen can attain in the forest, and which is scarcely equalled by the fastest foot-travellers on the smooth and beaten highways of the open country.
Unless my property is returned to me in full and at once I shall bring personal suit against every obstructing official.
We were in such an airy elevation above the creeping populations of the earth, that now and then when the obstructing crags stood out of the way it seemed that we could look around and abroad and contemplate the whole great globe, with its dissolving views of mountains, seas and continents stretching away through the mystery of the summer haze.
Would it not expedite matters if you restricted yourself to categorical statements of fact unencumbered with obstructing accumulations of metaphor and allegory?
How many times have I sat here and yapped at you about withholding evidence or obstructing justice?
Certainly, if you pin a murder on him and make it stick, and if you can prove that I had information that you could have used, you can tag me for obstructing justice and I'll be sunk.
But if it turns out that instead of obstructing justice I'm doing it as a favor by helping Mr.
If I withhold evidence that would help to convict a man of murder I am obstructing justice, yes.
But if I withhold evidence that would help to acquit a man, is that obstructing justice?