I. ˈbȯk sometimes ˈbȯlk 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
II. verb
Date: 15th century
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 balk ed at putting up the money — Thomas Fleming
3. : to commit a balk in sports
Synonyms: see frustrate
• balk·er noun