The term "blockaway" is a neologism whose part of speech is determined by its grammatical context. Based on its morphological construction from the root word "block" and the particle "away," its primary and most logical function is that of a verb. Specifically, it operates as a transitive phrasal verb, denoting the action of obstructing, isolating, or partitioning something to a separate or remote position.
As a verb, the construction follows the pattern of other phrasal verbs like "put away" or "take away," where an action is combined with a directional particle. In this case, "to block away" signifies the act of creating a barrier to move something out of sight, access, or consideration (e.g., "The software helps users block away digital distractions"). The term can also function as a compound noun, referring to the instrument, mechanism, or designated area that performs the blocking action (e.g., "The office installed a soundproof blockaway for private calls"). A third, though less common, possibility is its use as a compound adjective to describe something possessing the quality of or designed for this purpose (e.g., "The application has a blockaway feature").
Ultimately, the definitive part of speech depends on its application within a sentence. For the purpose of establishing it as a main point, its most dynamic and descriptive use is as a verb, as this frames the concept around a specific process or action. If the article's focus is on a tool or a resulting state, defining it as a noun would be more appropriate. Consistency in its application is crucial for establishing a clear and coherent definition for the audience.
