ob-saepĭo (ob-sēpĭo), psi, ptum, 4 (old form obsipio, Caecil. ap. Diom. p. 378 P.), v. a., to hedge or fence in, to enclose; hence, transf., to close up, to render impassable or inaccessible (class.; syn.: obstruo, oppilo).
- I. Lit.: NEQVE QVIS IN EO LOCO QVID OPPONIT, MOLIT, OBSEPIT, FIGIT, etc., S. C. ap. Front. Aquaed. 129: ubi illum saltum video obsaeptum, Plaut. Casin. 5, 2, 35; cf.: obsaeptis itineribus, Liv. 25, 29; v. Drak. ad Liv. 39, 1, 5: mox iter, apertis, quae vetustas obsaepserat, pergit, had rendered impassable, Tac. A. 15, 27: obsaepta viarum, impassable roads, Sil. 12, 110.
- II. Trop., to close or bar up: haec omnia tibi accusandi viam muniebant, adipiscendi obsaepiebant, Cic. Mur. 23, 48; cf. id. Scaur. § 40: plebi iter ad curules magistratus obsaepsit, Liv. 9, 34; 4, 25: obsaepta diutinā servitute ora reseramus, Plin. Pan. 66.