balk
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Alternative spellings
[edit] Etymology
From Middle English balke, Old English balca, cognate with Old High German balko, German Balken "balk," Italian balcone "balcony".
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
balk (plural balks)
- ridge, an unplowed strip of land. (One use is to walk on it.)
- beam.
- hindrance.
- blunder.
- (sports) deceptive motion; feint
- (baseball) an illegal motion intended to deceive a runner.
- (badminton) motion used to deceive an opponent during a serve
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to balk (third-person singular simple present balks, present participle balking, simple past and past participle balked)
- (archaic) to pass over or by.
- to stop, check, block.
- to stop short and refuse to go on.
- to refuse suddenly.

