obturate

/'ɔbtjuəreit/

Friendly

The word "obturate" is a verb that means to block or obstruct the passage of something. It is often used in medical or technical contexts, particularly to describe the action of sealing or closing off an opening in a body or a system.

Simple Explanation:

• Definition: To completely block or close an opening.
• Example: If you have a hole in a pipe and you seal it with glue, you obturate the hole.

Usage Instructions:

• "Obturate" is often used in formal or technical writing, so it may not be common in everyday conversation.
• You might come across it in discussions about medicine (like dental work) or engineering (like plumbing).

Example Sentences:

1. The dentist had to obturate the cavity in the patient’s tooth to prevent further decay.
2. Engineers designed a valve that can obturate the flow of water in case of an emergency.

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, "obturate" can refer to specific processes in anatomy or engineering where a structure is designed to block or seal off a passage, such as in certain medical procedures or when discussing the design of machinery.

Word Variants:

• Obturator (noun): A device used to close an opening.
• Obturating (adjective): Relating to the act of blocking or sealing.

Different Meanings:

In certain contexts, "obturate" can refer to the act of sealing off a biological passage (like a blood vessel) or an opening in an artificial structure.

Synonyms:

• Block
• Seal
• Close
• Obstruct

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "obturate" does not have specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with it, you can use phrases like: - "Put a stop to" (to block or prevent something from happening) - "Close off" (to obstruct or seal an area)

Summary:

To "obturate" means to block or seal off an opening, commonly used in medical and technical contexts.

Academic

Verb

1. block passage through
   • obstruct the path

Synonyms

• obstruct
• impede
• occlude
• jam
• block
• close up