Definition

1. Adverb:
   • As a whole; all together; in a single block or unit: Used to describe actions taken collectively or items considered as one complete group rather than individually.

Usage

• The term "en bloc" is used to emphasize that a group of items, people, or actions are being treated or considered as a single, undivided unit. It is often used in formal or official contexts, such as in politics, business, or academic discussions.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • The committee resigned en bloc to protest the new policy. (The entire committee resigned together as a single act of protest.)
  • The paintings were sold en bloc to a single collector. (The collection of paintings was sold as one complete set, not piece by piece.)
  • The amendments were adopted en bloc without further debate. (All the proposed amendments were accepted together in one vote.)

Advanced Usage

• "To act en bloc": To act in unison or as a single entity.
  • The member states decided to act en bloc in the trade negotiations.
• "En bloc submission": The submission of all parts of something together.
  • The report requires en bloc submission of all its appendices.

Variants and Related Words

• En masse (adverb): In a large group; all together. While similar, "en masse" often emphasizes a large number of people acting together, whereas "en bloc" emphasizes the unity of the group or items as a single block.
  • The protesters arrived en masse.
• Wholesale (adverb, adjective): As a whole and in large quantities. This can be similar in the context of selling or buying, but "wholesale" is more commercial.
  • The company buys materials wholesale.

Synonyms

• Collectively: As a group; jointly.
• As a whole: Considered as one complete unit.
• In toto: As a whole; entirely (Latin origin, similar formal usage).

Antonyms

• Individually: One by one; separately.
• Piecemeal: In stages; one part at a time.

Notes

• "En bloc" is a loan phrase from French, directly meaning "in a block." It is typically written in italics () in very formal writing but is commonly accepted in standard roman type in modern English usage.
• It is not typically used to form phrasal verbs or idioms in English. Its usage remains close to its original adverbial function.

Adverb

1. all together
   • the students turned out en masse