chock

[ chok ]

noun

1. a wedge or block of wood, metal, or the like, for filling in a space, holding an object steady, etc.
2. Nautical.
   1. any of various heavy metal fittings on a deck or wharf that serve as fairleads for cables or chains.
   2. a shaped support or cradle for a ship's boat, barrel, etc.
   3. a small wooden piece or timber for filling a gap, reinforcing an angle, etc., in a wooden vessel.
3. Metalworking. a bearing supporting the end of a rolling mill.
4. Mining. a roof support made of cribbing filled with stones. Compare cog ³( def 2 ).

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with or secure by a chock or chocks.
2. Nautical. to place (a boat) upon chocks.

adverb

1. as close or tight as possible:

   chock against the edge.

chock

/ tʃɒk /

noun

1. a block or wedge of wood used to prevent the sliding or rolling of a heavy object
2. nautical
   1. a fairlead consisting of a ringlike device with an opening at the top through which a rope is placed
   2. a cradle-like support for a boat, barrel, etc
3. See nut
   mountaineering See nut

verb

1. usually foll by up to cram full

   chocked up with newspapers

2. to fit with or secure by a chock
3. to support (a boat, barrel, etc) on chocks

adverb

1. as closely or tightly as possible

   chock against the wall

Word History and Origins

Origin of chock¹

Middle English < Anglo-French choque (compare modern Picard choke big log, Normandy dial. chouque ), Old French çoche ( French soche ); of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of chock¹

C17: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to Old French çoche log; compare Provençal soca tree stump

Example Sentences

That book was sometimes shelved in the fiction section of bookstores because it was chock full of mind-bending revelations suggesting that trees are sentient beings that are fully aware of and responsive to the world around them.

From Washington Post

Xue Vang had long known that his job deicing planes, loading bags and chocking wheels at the Missoula airport was dangerous, especially in the Montana winter, when blinding snow and rain obscure the spinning engines that can suck in a human body.

From Time

Rio BrandsThe Wonder Wheeler from Rio is chock full of special features and helpful tools to make your trip to the beach as smooth as possible.

From Popular-Science

Right across the highway, trails lead into the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, which is chock-full of hikes to waterfalls, lakes, overlooks, and a selection of mountain bike trails.

From Outside Online

As of late, the housing market is chock full of opportunities for both sellers and buyers.

From Washington Blade

After a decade of managing the Borden home, Wilber is chock-full of stories of hauntings and paranormal sightings.

From The Daily Beast

The audience was chock-full of the influential and influencers.

From The Daily Beast

Thus, the SHU was chock full of contraband, because all the x-ray machines were used by the clinics and not the guards.

From The Daily Beast

His mantel is chock full of Oscars and Grammys (three of each).

From The Daily Beast

According to the channel, the new, Western-friendly government in Kiev is chock full of fascists and neo-Nazis.

From The Daily Beast

It seems to me that when a fellow is chock-full of anything he oughtn't to feel much hunger.

From Project Gutenberg

Me and your mother wuz both young, both very much in love, both chock full o' hope and hard day's work.

From Project Gutenberg

The harbour was chock-full of forlorn-looking craft, which had evidently lain idle for a long while.

From Project Gutenberg

He is chock full of tact, the smoothest old boy I ever fell up against.

From Project Gutenberg

I sat in the stern sheets, listening to the dreary "chock-chock" of the propeller, and peering forward into the mist.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cluster
• congest
• congregate
• deluge
• flock
• gather
• huddle
• overcrowd
• pack
• pile
• squeeze
• stream
• swamp
• swarm
• throng