bloc-n; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: a group of nations or people acting together with common interests

Commentary: BLOC[+group][+social][-temporary][+unified][+shared][+interest][+nations/+people]
NOTE: usually implies long-term alliances or tendencies, unlike Sense 2

Examples:
They are hoping for support from the Arab bloc of nations.
It's a bloc of southern voters who have traditionally voted the Democratic ticket.
It turns out he worked for the East bloc as a double agent during the Cold War.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: temporary groups of legislators who vote together

Commentary: BLOC[+group][+social][+temporary][+purpose][+immediate][+legislators]
NOTE: a restricted use of Sense 1, implies short-term alliances for immediate goals

Examples:
There may be a large enough bipartisan bloc in the Senate to defeat the bill.
The congressman made a surprise switch to the conservative bloc on that issue.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 3: none of the above

Commentary: Automatically generated NOTA sense (bbn)

Examples:

Mappings: