Which word means 'to stop up; to prevent the passage of'?

Prepare for the GRE Verbal Reasoning Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Increase your chance of success on exam day!

Multiple Choice

Which word means 'to stop up; to prevent the passage of'?

Explanation:
The concept being tested is knowing a word that means to stop up or block a passage. Occlude exactly captures this sense: to close off or obstruct a passage, opening, or lumen. It comes from a Latin root meaning to close. In use, you’d say a vessel or artery can be occluded, meaning its passage is blocked. The other words don’t fit this physical blocking sense: ostentation refers to pretentious display, paragon means a model of perfection, and obviate means to remove a need or prevent something from happening, not to physically block a passage.

The concept being tested is knowing a word that means to stop up or block a passage. Occlude exactly captures this sense: to close off or obstruct a passage, opening, or lumen. It comes from a Latin root meaning to close. In use, you’d say a vessel or artery can be occluded, meaning its passage is blocked. The other words don’t fit this physical blocking sense: ostentation refers to pretentious display, paragon means a model of perfection, and obviate means to remove a need or prevent something from happening, not to physically block a passage.

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