em|bar|go

em|bar|go «ehm BAHR goh», noun, plural -goes, verb, -goed, -go|ing.

–n.

1. an order of a government forbidding merchant ships to enter or leave its ports: »

During the War of 1812, Congress laid an embargo on commerce with Great Britain for 15 months.

2. any restriction put on commerce by law: »

Our Government would certainly place an embargo on gold sales of our stocks if they fell below $10 billion (New York Times).

3. an order issued by a transportation company restricting the movement of certain freight over the company's lines because of traffic, strikes, bad weather, or similar conditions.

4. Figurative. restriction; restraint; hindrance: »

There is a general embargo on appearances at functions promoting political or “controversial” organizations (Manchester Guardian Weekly).

–v.t.

to put under an embargo; forbid to enter or leave port: »

The government embargoed all foreign ships. All vaccine not yet shipped from the manufacturers' plants was embargoed (Time).

╂[< Spanish embargo < embargar restrain < em- in (< Latin in-) + barra bar¹]