I.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.