balk

Meaning

1. An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing.
2. The wall of earth at the edge of an excavation.
3. 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".
4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
5. A sudden and obstinate stop.
6. (obsolete) An omission.
7. A deceptive motion.
8. A deceptive motion.
9. 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.
10. The area of the table lying behind the baulk line.
11. The rope by which fishing nets are fastened together.

baulk

pull the plug on

jib at

boundary-strip

retarding force

be recalcitrant

breast summer

doggle

die square

balk timber

coal pinch out

be interrupted

border dike

large square

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bɔːk/

From Middle English balke, from Old English balca, either from or influenced by Old Norse bálkr (“partition, ridge of land”), from Proto-Germanic *balkô. Cognate with Dutch balk (“balk”), German Balken (“balk”), Italian balcone (“balcony”).