( BrE ) ( NAmE usually balk ) / bɔːk; NAmE / verb
1.
[ v ] baulk (at sth) to be unwilling to do sth or become involved in sth because it is difficult, dangerous, etc. :
Many parents may baulk at the idea of paying $100 for a pair of shoes.
2.
[ v ] baulk (at sth) ( of a horse ) to stop suddenly and refuse to jump a fence, etc.
3.
[ vn ] baulk sb (of sth) [ usually passive ] ( formal ) to prevent sb from getting sth or doing sth :
She looked like a lion baulked of its prey.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Old English balc , from Old Norse bálkr partition. The original use was unploughed ridge , later land left unploughed by mistake , hence blunder, omission , giving rise to the verb use miss (a chance) . A late Middle English sense obstacle gave rise to the verb senses hesitate and hinder .