n.
Pronunciation: ' bo ̇ k sometimes ' bo ̇ lk
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English balke, from Old English balca; akin to Old High German balko beam, Latin fulcire to prop, Greek phalanx log, phalanx
Date: before 12th century
1 : a ridge of land left unplowed as a dividing line or through carelessness
2 : BEAM , RAFTER
3 : HINDRANCE , CHECK
4 a : the space behind the balkline on a billiard table b : any of the outside divisions made by the balklines
5 : failure of a player to complete a motion especially : an illegal motion of the pitcher in baseball while in position