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The Meaning of balk

  • (v. i.) A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside.
  • (v. i.) A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called \"the balks.\"
  • (v. i.) One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge.
  • (v. i.) A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
  • (v. i.) A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.
  • (v. i.) A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball.
  • (v. t.) To leave or make balks in.
  • (v. t.) To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles.
  • (v. t.) To omit, miss, or overlook by chance.
  • (v. t.) To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk.
  • (v. t.) To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to /hwart; as, to balk expectation.
  • (v. i.) To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition.
  • (v. i.) To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks.
  • (v. i.) To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.

Synonyms

rafter , impediment , hinderance , check , baulk , deterrent , hindrance , handicap , hitch , verification , impedimenta , stoppage , disability , halt , chip , tab , arrest , tick , check-out procedure , confirmation , impairment , check mark , obstruction , checkout , curb , chit , stop , disablement , cheque , obstructer , substantiation , stay , obstructor , encumbrance , preventive , incumbrance , bank check , preventative , interference , assay , bridle , raftsman , raftman , reject , change course , gybe , stand , resist , hold out , fend , withstand , dissent , jib , stand firm , defy , refuse , protest , jibe , hinder , baffle , clog , foil , obstruct , retard , counteract , frustrate , oppose , bar , delay , hamper , prevent , block , embarrass , impede , thwart , encumber , interrupt , disobey

Homophones

baulk

Rhymes

ad-hoc , adcock , aftershock , airlock , alcock , antiknock , antilock , antioch , baack , bach , ballcock , bangkok , barach , baulk , bedrock , bloc , bloch , block , blok , boardwalk , boch , bock , bohlke , bok , broc , brock , calk , catwalk , caulk , chalk , chock , chok , clock , cloque , cock , comstock , cornstalk , croc , crock , crosstalk , crosswalk , dahlke , deadlock , doc , dock , eisenach , elcock , electroshock , erlach , estok , falk , falke , faulk , feedstock , flintlock , floc , flock , frock , fyock , gamecock , gawk , glock , gocke , gohlke , goshawk , gridlock , groch , haack , haacke , haak , hammerlock , hamrock , hancock , hassebrock , hauck , hauk , hauke , havelock , hawk , hawke , haycock , hemlock , hitchcock , hoc , hoch , hock , hollyhock , interlock , iraq , jacques , jaywalk , jock , kilmarnock , kloc , klock , klocke , knaack , knaak , knock , kock , kok , kroc , krock , krok , kwok , laack , laake , landlock , lauck , laughingstock , laycock , leacock , livestock , loch , lock , locke , maack , mach , madlock , manioc , maroc , matchlock , mauck , mauk , maycock , moch , mock , mohawk , mok , nighthawk , nock , norwalk , oarlock , och , overstock , padlock , pathak , peacock , ploch , plock , poch , pock , poppycock , reichenbach , restock , roadblock , roc , roch , rock , rocke , rocque , salk , sauk , schaack , schalk , schlock , schoch , shaak , shamrock , shedlock , sherlock , shock , shrock , shylock , sidewalk , skok , skroch , sleepwalk , smock , sock , sok , spock , spurlock , squawk , staack , stalk , stock , stocke , stokke , strock , talk , tock , tomahawk , toque , undock , unlock , vlok , vocke , waack , walk , walke , warloeck , wedlock , woodcock , woodstock , yeosock , zoch , zwack