embargo

Definitions

1. 1.An edict or order of the government prohibiting the departure of ships of commerce from some or all of the ports within its dominions; a prohibition to sail. Note: If the embargo is laid on an enemy's ships, it is called a hostile embargo; if on the ships belonging to citizens of the embargoing state, it is called a civil embargo.
2. 2.To lay an embargo on and thus detain; to prohibit from leaving port; -- said of ships, also of commerce and goods.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "embargo" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is embargo.

• What is to lay an embargo on and thus detain; to prohibit from leaving port; -- said of ships, also of commerce and goods called?