block (redirected from draw a blank)

block

(1) A group of disk or tape records that is stored and transferred as a single unit. On a CD, a block consists of 98 frames of 33 bytes for a total of 3,234 bytes, or 1/75th of a second. See block level.

(2) A group of bits or bytes that is transmitted or processed as a single unit.

(3) A group of text characters that has been marked for moving, copying, saving or other operation.

(4) A rectangular group of pixels that are processed as a unit.

(5) A group of program statements that are treated as a unit based on the results of a comparison.

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block

1. See cylinder block

2. a casing housing one or more freely rotating pulleys

3. Pathol

a. interference in the normal physiological functioning of an organ or part

b. See heart block

c. See nerve block

4. Psychol a short interruption of perceptual or thought processes

5. Computing a group of words treated as a unit of data on a tape, disk, etc

6. Athletics short for starting block

7. Cricket a mark made near the popping crease by a batsman to indicate his position in relation to the wicket

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block [bläk]

(computer science)

A group of information units (such as records, words, characters, or digits) that are transported or considered as a single unit by virtue of their being stored in successive storage locations; for example, a group of logical records constituting a physical record.

The section of a computer memory or storage device that stores such a group of information units. Also known as storage block.

To combine two or more information units into a single unit.

A contiguous group of text characters that is marked for moving, copying, saving, deletion, or some other word-processing operation.

(design engineering)

A metal or wood case enclosing one or more pulleys; has a hook with which it can be attached to an object.

cylinder block

(mining engineering)

A division of a mine, usually bounded by workings but sometimes by survey lines or other arbitrary limits.

In quarrying, a large portion of rock that is removed from the quarry as a solid mass for further processing at a mill.

(petroleum engineering)

The subdivision of a sea area for the licensing of oil and gas exploration and production rights.

(statistics)

In experimental design, a homogeneous aggregation of items under observation, such as a group of contiguous plots of land or all animals in a litter.

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block - 1. A unit of data or memory, often, but not exclusively, on a magnetic disk or magnetic tape. Compare record, sector.