abzuriegeln

Abzuriegeln is a German verb that translates to "to seal off," "to barricade," or "to cordon off" in English. It describes the action of making an area inaccessible or impenetrable, often for security, safety, or containment purposes. The verb is derived from the noun "Riegel," which means bolt or bar, suggesting a physical act of locking or blocking something.

The term is commonly used in contexts involving security measures, such as police cordoning off a crime scene or a military unit sealing a border. It can also apply to less literal situations, like a government or organization "sealing off" information to prevent its dissemination. In a broader sense, "abzuriegeln" can imply isolation or a complete shutdown of access.

The past participle is "abgeriegelt," and the present participle is "abriegelnd." The verb conjugates like a regular weak verb in German. For example, "Die Polizei riegelte die Straße ab" means "The police sealed off the street." Similarly, "Das Gebiet wurde abgeriegelt" translates to "The area was cordoned off." The concept emphasizes creating a definitive barrier, preventing entry or exit.