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Occlude: meaning, definitions and examples

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occlude

 

[əˈkluːd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

medical

To obstruct or block a passage, especially a blood vessel or hollow organ.

Synonyms

block, clog, obstruct.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
occlude

Used when referring to precise or technical blockage, especially in medical and scientific fields.

  • The surgeon had to occlude the blood vessel during the procedure.
  • In this experiment, we need to occlude all light from entering the chamber.
block

Commonly used in everyday language to refer to stopping the movement or progress of something.

  • A fallen tree blocked the road.
  • She used her hand to block the sun from her eyes.
obstruct

Used to describe the act of preventing passage by placing an obstacle in the way; can have a negative connotation, especially when intentional.

  • The parked car obstructed the fire hydrant.
  • The signboard obstructs the view of the intersection.
clog

Informally used to describe the blocking of something, often referring to pipes or drains.

  • The sink is clogged again.
  • Too much hair can clog the shower drain.

Examples of usage

  • The blood clot was causing the vessel to occlude.
  • If the artery continues to occlude, the patient may experience a heart attack.
Context #2 | Verb

dentistry

To bring the opposing surfaces of the teeth into contact.

Synonyms

close, press together, shut.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
occlude

When something is blocked or obstructed, often used in medical or technical contexts to describe the blocking of a passage or opening.

  • The doctor warned that the blood vessel could occlude if not treated promptly.
  • Clouds occluded the view of the moon.
close

General term for bringing something to an end or making an opening no longer accessible. Can be used in various everyday situations.

  • Please close the door behind you.
  • The store closes at 9 PM.
shut

Similar to 'close', often implies a more forceful action. Can be used in more casual and everyday settings.

  • Shut the window before it starts raining.
  • He shut his book and sighed.
press together

Describes the action where two things are pushed into close contact with each other, often physically.

  • He pressed his lips together in frustration.
  • Press the two metal pieces together to make them stick.

Examples of usage

  • The dentist instructed the patient to occlude their teeth to check the bite.
  • She asked the patient to occlude their teeth to see if there were any alignment issues.
Context #3 | Verb

general

To close or shut off.

Synonyms

close, seal, shut.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
occlude

More technical term, often used in medical or scientific contexts to mean blocking or stopping something from passing through.

  • The artery was occluded by a blood clot.
  • Dental braces can occlude proper alignment of teeth.
shut

Similar to 'close,' but often carries a stronger sense of firmness or finality. Can sometimes have a slight negative connotation.

  • She shut the window tightly.
  • Shut your mouth.
close

Use when referring to shutting something that can be opened, like doors, windows, or books. Common and versatile; suitable for everyday situations.

  • Please close the door.
  • He closed the book and put it on the shelf.
seal

Best used in contexts involving air- or watertight closures. Commonly used when talking about containers, envelopes, or packaging.

  • Seal the envelope before mailing it.
  • You need to seal the container to keep the food fresh.

Examples of usage

  • The curtains were drawn to occlude the sunlight.
  • He used a barrier to occlude the entrance.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'occludere', meaning 'to shut up or close off'.
  • It is formed from 'ob-' (against) and 'claudere' (to shut).
  • Related words include 'exclude' and 'cloister', which also imply closure or separation.

Science

  • In medicine, occlusion refers to the blockage of blood vessels, which can lead to serious conditions like heart attacks.
  • In geology, occlusion can describe how one geological layer overlaps another, affecting water flow and ecosystem health.
  • In optics, occlusion occurs when one object blocks the view of another, an important concept in understanding visual perception.

Psychology

  • Occlusion in psychology refers to how people perceive objects that are partially hidden, emphasizing the brain's ability to infer missing information.
  • The ‘Gestalt principles’ include occlusion as a factor in how we organize visual fields, helping us to understand visual stimuli.
  • Children often learn about occlusion through play, as they discover how objects can be hidden or blocked by others.

Literature

  • The concept of occlusion can represent themes of secrecy or hidden truths in literary narratives.
  • In poetry, occlusion might be used metaphorically to describe emotional barriers between characters or societies.
  • Several modern novels use occlusion to explore complex narratives where the truth is gradually revealed.

Pop Culture

  • In film, effective use of occlusion can create suspense, as viewers won’t see the full picture until the climax.
  • Video games utilize occlusion culling techniques to enhance performance by ignoring objects not in the player's view.
  • Comic books often illustrate occlusion with overlapping images, inviting readers to piece together the story visually.

Translations

Translations of the word "occlude" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ocluir

🇮🇳 अवरोध करना

🇩🇪 verstopfen

🇮🇩 menyumbat

🇺🇦 перекривати

🇵🇱 zablokować

🇯🇵 遮る (さえぎる)

🇫🇷 occlure

🇪🇸 ocluir

🇹🇷 tıkanmak

🇰🇷 막다

🇸🇦 يسد

🇨🇿 ucpat

🇸🇰 upchať

🇨🇳 阻塞 (zǔsè)

🇸🇮 zamašiti

🇮🇸 stífla

🇰🇿 бітеп тастау

🇬🇪 დახშობა

🇦🇿 tıxamaq

🇲🇽 ocluir

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,314 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.