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Glite Dictionary
💾 Unusable storage ⛓️ Invalid blockchain data
bad block

bad block

7.7
A part of a disk where data cannot be read or written because it is damaged
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : sector defectuoso
  • If a file is stored on a bad block, it may become unreadable.

Examples

  • Data loss occurred because the disk contained several bad blocks that could not be repaired.

  • He discovered a bad block during the disk check.

  • The utility will scan your hard drive for any bad blocks and attempt to isolate them.

  • The hard drive has a bad block that prevents data recovery.

  • When a hard drive develops bad blocks, it can lead to data loss if not addressed quickly.

  • To prevent issues, it is important to regularly check for bad blocks on your storage devices.

  • The technician found several bad blocks on the hard drive, which explained the frequent errors during file access.

Synonyms

disk error
vsbad block
  • Specialized
3.8

A problem when a computer cannot open or save files on a disk because the disk is damaged

refers to a specific storage sector that cannot reliably store or retrieve data

Surface Forms

bad block singular
bad blocks plural

Morphology

bad + block

The meaning is directly compositional: 'bad' (defective) + 'block' (a unit) yields 'a block that is defective or invalid', which matches the blockchain sense of failing validation. Although the specific technical sense of 'block' (in distributed ledgers) requires domain exposure, the overall interpretation is literal and predictable from the constituents, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Bad block in computing comes from a simple image: a block of disk storage that is 'bad' or broken, like a cracked brick in a wall that cannot hold things. That's why a 'bad block' means a piece of storage that can lose data or become unreadable.