en bloc
/Ỵ:ɳ'blɔk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- all together
- the students turned out en masse