First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1balk
noun \ˈbȯk sometimes ˈbȯlk\
baseball : an occurrence in which a pitcher stops suddenly or makes an illegal movement after starting to throw a pitch
Full Definition of BALK
1
: a ridge of land left unplowed as a dividing line or through carelessness
4
5
: failure of a player to complete a motion; especially : an illegal motion of the pitcher in baseball while in position
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Origin of BALK
Middle English balke, from Old English balca; akin to Old High German balko beam, Latin fulcire to prop, Greek phalanx log, phalanx
Related to BALK
- Synonyms
- encumbrance, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel
2balk
verb
: to suddenly show that you do not want to do something : to refuse to do what someone else wants you to do
of a horse, mule, etc. : to stop quickly and refuse to continue going
of an engine : to fail to work in the usual or expected way
Full Definition of BALK
transitive verb
1
archaic : to pass over or by
2
: to check or stop by or as if by an obstacle : block
intransitive verb
1
: to stop short and refuse to proceed
2
: to refuse abruptly —used with at <Congress balked at putting up the money — Thomas Fleming>
3
: to commit a balk in sports
— balk·er noun
See balk defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BALK
15th century
Related to BALK
Synonym Discussion of BALK
frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk mean to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal. frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent <frustrated attempts at government reform>. thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing <the army thwarted his attempt at a coup>. foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort <foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her>. baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling <baffled by the maze of rules and regulations>. balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances <officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime>.
BALK Defined for Kids
balk
verb \ˈbȯk\
balkedbalk·ing
Definition of BALK for Kids
1
: to stop short and refuse to go
2
: to refuse to do something often suddenly <He balked at paying the bill.>
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