chock

[chok] /tʃɒk/
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 cog3 (def 2).
verb (used with object)
5.
to furnish with or secure by a chock or chocks.
6.
Nautical. to place (a boat) upon chocks.
adverb
7.
as close or tight as possible:
chock against the edge.
Origin
Middle English < Anglo-French choque (compare modern Picard choke big log, Normandy dial. chouque), Old French çoche (French soche); of uncertain origin
Examples from the web for chock
  • Straight from the pages of the magazine's top-scoring feature, this little book is chock-full of tremendous fun.
  • Biscuits and pastries are made from scratch here and the menu is chock-full of locally sourced foods.
  • Over the past decade, scientists have discovered that our crops are chock-full of dormant characteristics.
  • Once again we'll be featuring seven weekly guides chock full of geeky present ideas.
  • Your article is chock full of excellent information and valid points.
  • Patience is the key to this soul-satisfying soup chock-full of winter greens.
  • Part of the fun of hiking in the woods is the treat of coming across a bush chock-full of wild berries.
  • Even more evidence that our own little backyard in the universe is chock-full of wonders.
  • The movie is chock full of peculiar cross-references.
  • chock full of info, and the discussion forum is invaluable.
British Dictionary definitions for chock

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.
(mountaineering) See nut (sense 10)
verb (transitive)
4.
(usually foll by up) (Brit) to cram full: chocked up with newspapers
5.
to fit with or secure by a chock
6.
to support (a boat, barrel, etc) on chocks
adverb
7.
as closely or tightly as possible: chock against the wall
Word Origin
C17: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to Old French çoche log; compare Provençal soca tree stump
Word Origin and History for chock
n.

1670s, "lumpy piece of wood," possibly from Old North French choque "a block" (Old French çoche "log," 12c.; Modern French souche "stump, stock, block"), from Gaulish *tsukka "a tree trunk, stump."

adv.

"tightly, close up against," 1799, back formation from chock-full.