balk Meaning & Definition
What Does Balk Mean?
As a noun, balk means An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing. It is also used to mean The wall of earth at the edge of an excavation. As a verb, it means To be unwilling to do something; to refuse to proceed or do or allow something, either in general or only temporarily. As a verb, it means To pass over or by.
Quick Facts About Balk
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /bɔːk/ |
| Synonyms | baulk, resist and jib |
| Plural | balks |
| Verb forms | balks, balking, balked |
Balk Definition (Noun)
- An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing.
- The wall of earth at the edge of an excavation.
- Beam, crossbeam; squared timber; a tie beam of a house, stretching from wall to wall, especially when laid so as to form a loft, "the balks".
- A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
- A sudden and obstinate stop.
- An omission.
- A deceptive motion.
- An illegal motion by the pitcher, intended to deceive a runner.
- A motion used to deceive the opponent during a serve.
- The area of the table lying behind the line from which the cue ball is initially shot, and from which a ball in hand must be played.
- The area of the table lying behind the baulk line.
- The rope by which fishing nets are fastened together.
Balk as a Verb
- To be unwilling to do something; to refuse to proceed or do or allow something, either in general or only temporarily.
balked at paying a day's wages for a pencil; he said he would buy her one, but when he saw the price, he balked
- To stop short and refuse to go on or do something (such as jump).
The horse balked.
- To move fitfully, stopping frequently.
- To leave or make a balk or balks (ridges) in; to leave a ridge in by leaving partly unploughed.
- To stop, check, block (by or as if by an obstacle); to hinder, impede, thwart.
- To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles.
- To pass over or by (either by chance or intentionally); to avoid in passing. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance, error, or inadvertence.
- To omit, miss, or overlook by chance, error, or inadvertence.
- To miss intentionally; to avoid, ignore, or shun.
- To refuse or fail to use (something), either through error or intentionally.
To refuse (something).
To let (something) slip; to fail to use or seize or keep (something).
to balk an opportunity
- To refuse (something).
- To let (something) slip; to fail to use or seize or keep (something).
to balk an opportunity
- To disappoint, frustrate, or check.
to balk expectation
- To quibble or bandy words with; engage in opposing, contradicting, or arguing with.
- To make a balk, a deceptive motion to deceive another player.
Noun
- A small brass ornament fixed at the top of a wand.
Noun
- A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.
- A deceptive motion; a feint.
Verb
- To pass over or by.
- To omit, miss or overlook by chance.
- To miss intentionally; to avoid.
- To stop, check, block.
- To stop short and refuse to go on.
The horse balked.
- To refuse suddenly.
- To disappoint; to frustrate.
to balk expectation
- To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition.
- To leave or make balks in.
Verb
- To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.
Synonyms of Balk
Balk synonyms and antonyms →Balk in a Sentence
balked at paying a day's wages for a pencil; he said he would buy her one, but when he saw the price, he balked
The horse balked.
to balk an opportunity
to balk expectation
Word Forms & Grammar
balk (plural balks)
balk (third-person singular simple present balks, present participle balking, simple past and past participle balked)
Words That Rhyme With Balk
Origin of Balk
Origin 1: From Middle English balke, from Old English balca, either from or influenced by Old Norse bálkr (“partition, ridge of land”),[1] from Proto-Germanic *balkô. Cognate with Dutch balk (“balk”), German Balken (“balk”), Italian balcone (“balcony”).
Origin 2: From Middle English balok, ballok (“knob”), from Old English bealluc (“testicle”, literally “little ball”). Doublet of ballock and bollocks.
Common Questions About Balk
Is balk a noun or a verb?
Balk is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for balk?
Close synonyms of balk are baulk, resist and jib. See the full list of balk synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of balk?
The plural of balk is balks.
What is the past tense of balk?
The past tense of balk is balked. The present participle is balking.