ob·struct (əb-strŭkt', ŏb-)
tr.v., -struct·ed, -struct·ing, -structs.

1. To block or fill (a passage) with obstacles or an obstacle. See synonyms at block.
2. To impede, retard, or interfere with; hinder: obstructed my progress. See synonyms at hinder¹.
3. To get in the way of so as to hide from sight.

[Latin obstruere, obstrūct- : ob-, against; see ob- + struere, to pile up.]

obstructer ob·struct'er or ob·struc'tor n.
obstructive ob·struc'tive adj.
obstructively ob·struc'tive·ly adv.
obstructiveness ob·struc'tive·ness n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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