Block
Sea Terms
Pieces of wood, or a hollow shape of iron called the shell, between or inside of which one or more sheaves (wheels) revolve on a pin which runs through the block from side to side. The aperture between the sheave and the top of the block is called the swallow. The sides of the block are called cheeks. On the outside of the cheeks a groove is cut, into which is fitted the strop--the grommet which tightly encircles the block. For definitions of various kinds of blocks look opposite to proper headings. (See engravings.)
