balkbaulkn.¹

/bɔːk/

Forms: Old English balca, balc, Middle English–1600s balke, Middle English–1600s baulke, 1500s balcke, 1600s–1800s baulk (northern dialect bauk, bawk), Middle English– balk.

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: Common Germanic, presenting several variant stems, with partial differentiation of sense: Old English balca ridge, bank = Old Frisian balca , Old Saxon balco , Middle Dutch balke , balc , Dutch balk , Old High German balcho , balco , Middle High German balke , German balken , ‘beam, trabs ,’ also Old English bolca ‘gangway of a ship,’ and Old Norse bjalki (Swedish biælke , bielke , Danish bjelke ) ‘beam,’ corresponding respectively to a Germanic ablaut-series *balkon- , *bolkon- , *belkon- ; also Old Norse bálkr , bǫ́lkr , ‘beam, bar, partition, division’, Old Swedish balker , bolker , Swedish balk ‘beam, balk, partition, section of a law’ < Germanic *balku-z . Old English balc ‘porca ’ (see 3), is either an error for balca , or = Old Norse bálkr . The relation of Old English bælc ‘covering (? flooring)’ is doubtful. The original sense was perhaps ‘bar’; compare Latin suf-fla(g)men , < Aryan *bhalg- , bhlag- . The Old English balca (balc ) and Old Norse bálkr appear to be combined in the Middle English; whether the latter distinguished balke and balk , the evidence does not show. Balk is the analogous spelling: compare stalk , talk , walk , etc.; but baulk is frequent, and in Billiards (sense 9) the prevailing spelling.

I. A ridge generally, a dividing ridge; a bar.

†1. A ridge, heap, or mound upon the ground; e.g. a grave-mound. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > rising ground or eminence > [noun] > small mound

balkc885

bankc1175

hill1297

hillock1382

mow?1424

sunka1522

tump1589

anthill1598

pustule1651

mound1791

hag1805

moundlet1808

c885 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xvi. §2 Þa het he hí bindan, and on balcan legan.

c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 62 My body on balke þer bod in sweuen.

†2. A dividing ridge (of land); an isthmus; a bar of sand, etc. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > land > land mass > shore or bank > promontory, headland, or cape > [noun] > isthmus

halse1488

necka1544

balka1552

isthmus1555

distrait1562

strait1562

strictland1577

land-passage1601

land-strait1601

isthm1609

land-neck1619

land-connection1876

thoroughfare1876

land-bridge1897

tombolo1897

a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) V. 13 A litle Balk of Sand cast up, the wich at low Waters prohibitith the Se to cum about.

1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vi. f. 74^v The narrow balke at which two Seas doe meete at hand.

1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vii. f. 86^v The balke that makes the streight diuorce Betweene the seas Iönian and Aegean.

1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island iv. xi. 40 A border-citie these two coasts removing; Which like a balk..Disparts the terms of anger, and of loving.

II. A ridge left in ploughing; a miss, slip.

3. A ridge between two furrows (Latin porca), or a strip of ground left unploughed as a boundary line between two ploughed portions.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [noun] > broken land > arable or ploughed land > land missed in ploughing

balkc1000

lynchet1674

rind1730

landshard1811

c1000 Ælfric Gloss. in Wright Voc. (W.) 147 Porca, balc.

a1300 W. de Biblesworth in Wright Voc. 159 Vert choral, a grene balke.

1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. ix. 114 Dykers and deluers diggeden vp þe balkes.

1483 Cath. Angl. 19/1 Balke betwyx twa furris; creb(r)o, porca.

1562 W. Bullein Bk. Simples f. 16^v, in Bulwarke of Defence Euery mere and balke is full of it [sc. Scabios] in June.

1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Rogat. Week iv, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 498 How covetous men nowe a dayes plow vp so nigh the common balkes and walkes.

1576 G. Gascoigne Steele Glas sig. H.ij^v Earing vp the balks, that part their bounds.

1604 N. Breton Passionate Shepheard (1877) sig. B Who vpon a faire greene balke May at pleasures sit and walke.

1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd v. iii Last night I met him on a bawk, Whare yellow corn was growing.

1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 196 These earthern boundaries (baulks) are wearing fast out.

1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 104 He takes his rambles..Down narrow balks that intersect the fields.

a. A ridge or piece left unploughed by accident or carelessness; a piece missed in ploughing. (Often in phrase to make a balk or balks.)

ΚΠ

c1420 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 15 The balke, that thai calle, unered lande And overheled, beholde that there be noon.

c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) vii. viii b 172 Making no balkes, y^e plough was truely hold.

?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. v^v If he go to the ploughe & loke backewarde he seyth nat whyder the plough..make a balke.

1647 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Worse Times iv. vi. 147 The husbandman may dart forth an Ejaculation and not make a balke the more.

1739 Burkitt's Expos. Notes N.T. (ed. 11) Luke ix. 62 He that ploughs must keep on, and make no Balks.

1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 277/2 The leaving of balks is a great fault, and is owing to..the ploughman not holding his plough upright.

b. Hence figurative, esp. in to make a balk of good ground: to waste or throw away a good chance.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [verb (intransitive)] > fail to take advantage

to burn seasonable weather1597

to miss of ——a1628

to make a balk of good ground1637

1637 W. Camden Remaines (ed. 5) 302 Make hay while sunne shines. Make not a balke of good ground.

1640 T. Fuller Joseph's Coat 30 The rich Corinthians in not inviting the poore, made Balkes of good ground.

a1652 R. Brome New Acad. iii. i. 50 in Five New Playes (1659) Your plow makes vile baulkes of my money.

1857 H. G. Bohn Handbk. Prov. 69 Make not balks of good ground.

†a. figurative. A slip, mistake, a blunder. to make a balk: to blunder, go wrong. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > be mistaken, err [verb (intransitive)]

dwelec900

haltc900

marOE

slidea1000

misfangOE

missOE

to have wough?c1225

misnimc1225

misrekec1275

mis-startc1275

err1303

to go wrongc1340

misgo1340

slipc1340

snapperc1380

forvay1390

to miss of ——c1395

to make a balkc1430

to run in ——1496

trip1509

fault1530

mistake1548

misreckon1584

misstep1605

warpa1616

solecize1627

hallucinate1652

nod1677

to go will1724

to fare astray (misliche, amiss)a1849

slip1890

skid1920

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > an error, mistake > [noun]

misnimming?c1225

errora1340

defaulta1387

balkc1430

fault1523

jeofail1546

errat1548

trip1548

naught1557

missa1568

missinga1568

slide1570

snappera1572

amiss1576

mistaking1579

misprize1590

mistake1600

berry-block1603

solecism1603

fallibility1608

stumblea1612

blota1657

slur1662

incorrectnessa1771

bumble1823

skew1869

(to make) a false step1875

slip-up1909

ricket1958

bad1981

c1430 Hymns to Virg. (1867) 92 Þouȝ a ȝong man make a balke, Ȝit take to þi mynde reuertere.

1661 W. Annand Panem Qvotidianvm 18 They..make such bawlks in their prayer.

1717 T. Tudway in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. IV. 311 Bentley's baulks and blunders about the king's reception.

b. U.S. In baseball: (see quot. 1867). Also attributive.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > [noun] > fouls or errors

balk1845

foul ball1855

block ball1891

interference1927

rock1937

1845 in Appletons' Ann. Cycl. 1885 (1886) 77/2 A runner can not be put out..when a balk is made by the pitcher.

1867 H. Chadwick Beadle's Dime Base-ball Player 53 A balked Ball.—Should the pitcher move his foot in delivery—thereby making a ‘balk’—and the Umpire call a ‘balk’ until the ball is returned to the pitcher, [etc.].

1913 Amer. Mag. Sept. 24/1 Kilroy caught seven by his balk motion.

†6. figurative. An omission, an exception. Obsolete or dialect.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being exclusive > [noun] > exclusion from a category, etc. > non-inclusion or omission > that which is

leaving-out1584

balk1596

omission1621

left-out1878

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. xi. sig. Ii^v They fall to strokes..Not sparing wight, ne leauing any balke .

1666 J. Bunyan Grace Abounding ⁋315 But then I have asked why they made baulks? why they did salute the most handsome and let the ill favoured go?

?1748 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. (ed. 2) 29 I'r so keen-bitt'not I mede no bawks ot o Hay-seed.

III. A ridge in one's path; A stumbling-block, check; a term in billiards.

†7. A ridge in the way, over which one may stumble; a stumbling-block, obstacle. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [noun] > manner of walking > stumbling > one who or that which causes

balk1549

tripper1605

stumbling-block1663

hub1669

trip-wire1916

1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Cvii^v He woulde not walke in bywalkes, where are many balkes.

1562 T. Sternhold et al. Whole Bk. Psalmes xviii. 35 So that my feete shall neuer slip, Nor stumble at a balke.

1747 W. Hooson Miners Dict. sig. N j How many Baulks and Obstructions..happen by the way.

8. figurative.

a. A hindrance, check, or defeat.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > [noun] > one who or that which hinders > a hindrance, impediment, or obstacle

hinderc1200

withsetting1340

obstaclec1385

traversea1393

mara1400

bayc1440

stoppagec1450

barrace1480

blocka1500

objecta1500

clog1526

stumbling-stone1526

bar1530

(to cast) a trump in (one's) way1548

stumbling-stock1548

hindrance1576

a log in one's way1579

crossbar1582

log1589

rub1589

threshold1600

scotch1601

dam1602

remora1604

obex1611

obstructiona1616

stumbling-blocka1616

fence1639

affront1642

retardance1645

stick1645

balk1660

obstruent1669

blockade1683

sprun1684

spoke1689

cross cause1696

uncomplaisance1707

barrier1712

obstruct1747

dike1770

abatis1808

underbrush1888

bunker1900

bump1909

sprag1914

hurdle1924

headwind1927

mudhole1933

monkey wrench1937

roadblock1945

1660 T. M. Walker's Hist. Independency IV. 78 As a balk to which the Committee of safety declared..that they had transmitted a great part of a form of government, etc.

a1716 R. South 12 Serm. (1717) VI. 332 There cannot be a greater Baulk to the tempter.

1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 188 This was a Balk to them..and put a Damp to their new Projects.

1822 C. Lamb in London Mag. Mar. 282/1 It would be some balk to the spirit of conversation, if you knew.

b. A disappointment.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > disappointment > [noun] > a disappointment

balk1733

false dawn1832

rude awakening1895

coitus interruptus1900

swizzle1913

swizz1915

backfire1925

1733 J. Swift Life & Char. Dr. Swift 22 Poor Tom has got a plaguy baulk.

1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. viii. 37 It was a great Balk to her, that you did not comply with my Request.

c. Of a horse: an instance of balking (cf. balk v.¹ 3).

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [noun] > leap > that jumps fence > refusing

refusal1856

balk1866

1866 E. Keyes Diary 28 Apr. in Colorado Mag. (1933) 10 72 The horses were not used to being driven together..we had balks innumerable..but in the end on we would go as merry as ever.

a. transferred. The part of a billiard table behind a transverse line (the ‘baulk-line’) near one end, within the D or half-circle of which a player whose ball is in hand must place it to make a stroke. (As, in billiards, such player must play out from baulk, and can strike only indirectly at a ball lying within it, the original sense of the term was perhaps that of ‘check.’) In U.S., baulk-line is also applied to one of four lines drawn parallel to the side of the table or diagonally across the corners; also designating a carom billiards game in which these lines restrict scoring (see quot. 1910¹). Also attributive.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > table > part of table

porch1699

balk1800

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > table > lines

baulk-line1839

string1857

stringing-line1873

string-line1897

anchor baulkline1910

1800 Hoyle's Games 250 When the striker's and the red ball are within the baulk, he is not obliged to pass the ball.

1839 E. Kentfield Game of Billiards 3 At the lower end of the table..is a line technically termed the Baulk Line.

1874 G. J. Whyte-Melville Uncle John ix She strung to begin—won—and put her ball in balk.

1896 W. Broadfoot in W. Broadfoot et al. Billiards (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) ix. 283 (heading) Safety and baulk play.

1896 W. Broadfoot in W. Broadfoot et al. Billiards (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) ix. 285 A few examples of safety and baulk strokes.

1906 Daily Chron. 19 Apr. 4/7 The 18.1 in. baulk-line champion.

1910 Encycl. Brit. III. 939/1 Various schemes have been devised to make the game more difficult. One of these is known as the ‘continuous baulk-line’. Lines are drawn, 8, 14, 18 or even 22 in. from the rails, parallel to the side of the table...In the case of the Triangular Baulk-line, lines are drawn at the four corners.

1910 Encycl. Brit. III. 939/1 The ‘anchor baulk-lines’..are drawn at the end of a baulk-line where it touches the rail.

b. to make a baulk: to bring one's own and the red ball within the baulk, when the opponent's ball is in hand.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [verb (intransitive)] > actions or types of play

carambole1775

string1814

cannon1825

to make a baulk1839

star1839

push1851

to play for safety1857

run1857

carom1860

to knock the balls about1864

miscue1889

snooker1889

break1893

scratch1909

to call one's shot1953

1839 E. Kentfield Game of Billiards 24 Directions for making what are termed baulks.

IV. A beam of wood.

10. A roughly squared beam of timber; sometimes used technically to designate Baltic timber, which is roughly dressed before shipment.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > wood > wood in specific form > [noun] > roughly squared beam

beam978

balka1400

needle1428

joist1487

sill1488

rafter1553

timbera1575

bat1577

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8783 Þe balk þat mast þe werk suld bind þai soght, and noþer-quar cuth find.

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 66 He kan wel in myn eye seen a stalke But in his owene he kan noght seen a balke.

1483 Cath. Angl. 19/1 Balke of a howse, trabs.

1662 S. Pepys Diary 23 June (1970) III. 119 Deals, sparres, and balkes.

1666 London Gaz. No. 35/4 Laden with Oaken and Firr Balks.

1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. Explan. Terms 164 Bauk, a peece of Fir unslit, from four to ten Inches square.

1734 Builder's Dict. Balks..so some call great pieces of Timber coming from beyond Seas by Floats.

1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §38 A course of squared oak balks.

1881 Mechanic §136 The strongest timber obtainable..is that which is sawn out of baulks.

1884 Timber Tr. Jrnl. 14 June 417/3 Danzig fir balks.

11. A tie-beam of a house, stretching from wall to wall. In old one-storey houses these were often exposed and used for hanging or placing articles on, or laid with boards so as to form a loft, called ‘the balks.’ Now chiefly northern.

ΘΚΠ

society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > framework of building > [noun] > members of

pan1284

balka1300

lacec1330

pautre1360

dorman1374

rib1378

montant1438

dormant?1454

transom1487

ground-pillar?a1500

barge-couple1562

spar foot1579

frankpost1587

tracing1601

sleeper1607

bressumer1611

master-beam1611

muntin1611

discharge1620

dormer1623

mounting post1629

tassel1632

baufrey1640

pier1663

storey post1663

breastplate?1667

mudsill1685

template1700

brow-post1706

brow-stone1761

runner1772

stretching beam1776

pole plate1787

sabliere1800

frame stud1803

bent1815

mounting1819

bond-timber1823

storey rod1823

wall-hold1833

wall-strap1833

truss-block1883

sleeper-beam1937

shell1952

a1300 W. de Biblesworth in Wright Voc. 170 Les trayes (gloss balkes).

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 440 Laddres thre To clymben by the ronges..Vn to the tubbes hangyng in the balkes.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zeph. ii. 14 Foules shal synge in the wyndowes and rauens shal syt vpon the balckes.

1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) viii. f. 106^v A flitch Of restie Bacon from the Balke made blacke with smoke.

a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 55 When wee have brought up the farre roomestead as high as the balke.

1691 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Words (ed. 2) 5 The Balk or Bawk, the Summer-beam or Dorman.

c1760 W. J. Mickle Nae Luck aboot the House There's twa fat hens upon the bauk.

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. i. xii. 90 The stiffest balk bends more or less; all joists creak.

12. A cross-beam or bar in a chimney or kiln.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > furnace or kiln > kiln > [noun] > parts of kiln

balk1432

killogie15..

kiln-holea1616

muffle1644

logie1780

the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > a device for heating or warming > devices for heating buildings, rooms, etc. > hearth or fireplace > beam over

mantel1357

balk1432

manteltree1451

mantry1530

clavel1602

chimney-bar1833

1432 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1855) II. 23 Unum instrumentum ferreum in camino aulæ, vocatum balk.

?a1600 Felon Sow of Rokeby in W. Scott Rokeby (1813) p. lxxxv The sew was in the kiln hole down, As they were on the balke aboon.

13. The beam of a balance. Obsolete exc. dialect.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement by weighing > equipment for weighing > [noun] > a weighing apparatus > a balance > beam of a balance

balk1399

beam1420

weigh-balkc1485

scale-beam1723

balance-yard1810

balance-beam1813

1399 Fabric Rolls Yk. Minstr. in Linc. Gloss. (E.D.S.) I balke ferri cum les scales et ponderibus.

1571 in W. Greenwell Wills & Inventories Registry Durham (1860) II. 364 Payre of great skales w^th y^e balk.

1673 J. Flavell Fountain of Life iv. 43 The balk of a ballance, to weigh Christs Excellency.

1854 H. Miller Schools & Schoolmasters (1858) xxiii. 509 To give..his customers ‘the cast of the baulk.’ Sc. Proverb, The young lamb comes as often to the bauk as the auld ewe.

V. In fishing. [The connection of 16 with the other senses is doubtful.]

14. dialect. A set of stout stakes surrounded by netting or wicker work for catching fish.

ΚΠ

1836 G. Head Home Tour 430 I observed some fish ‘balks’ on the sands..The fish are taken on the sand within the balk at low water.

15. The stout rope at the top of fishing nets by which they are fastened one to another in a ‘fleet.’ (In Cornwall balch.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > net > [noun] > ropes on nets

norsel1440

head-roping1615

nostelling1615

warrope1615

way-rope1641

head rope?1748

warp1835

balk1847

trawl-warp1864

ground-rope1874

brail1883

shoreline1887

shore-rope-

1847 H. Miller First Impressions Eng. i. 3 Away from wave-top to wave-top, like the cork baulk of a fisherman's net afloat on the swell.

1880 T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words E. Cornwall in Gloss. Cornwall (E.D.S.) 76 Balch, a stout cord used for the head-line of a fishing net.

Compounds

† balk-line n. Obsolete ? a line hanging from the cross-beams.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > rope, cord, or line > types of

warp1296

sewing-rope1336

viring-rope1336

wardrope1338

bast1357

breast rope1412

balk-line1506

waterline1626

shank1706

selvage1711

shroud hawser1744

white line1747

selvagee1750

cringle1787

staple-rope1794

bracing-rope1827

selvage-stropc1860

soga1860

four-cant1867

toggle-lanyard1874

maguey1908

snorter1950

snotter1950

1506 in C. Parkin Blomefield's Ess. Topogr. Hist. Norfolk (1775) V. 1670 A new balk-line to the star, and rysing the star, 8d.

† balk-staff n. Obsolete a quarter-staff.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > club or stick > [noun] > armed club

masuelc1312

macec1325

maulc1325

mell1333

brogged staff1429

balk-staffc1460

malleta1500

quarterstaff?1560

sport staff1634

morgenstern1637

roundhead1643

morning star1684

patu patu1769

patuc1771

shell-stick1790

holy water sprinkler1816

mace-head1824

shark's teeth sword1845

taiaha1845

c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 153 ‘He berith a Balstaff’ quod the toon, ‘els a rakis ende.’

1664 C. Cotton Scarronides 21 Balk-staves, and Cudgells, Pikes & Truncheons.

1674 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 4 Balk-staff, a Quarter-staff, a great Staff like a Pole or Beam.

balk-yard n. a timber-yard.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > lumbering > [noun] > timber-yard

timber-yard1482

wood-fold1570

lumber-yard1786

balk-yard1823

chantier1823

1823 Let. in R. Polwhele Trad. & Recoll. (1826) II. 770 Straying into a balk-yard fell over a beam of timber.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

balkn.²

Etymology: < balk v.¹ in the local sense of ‘to leave unfinished’.

Of cloth: in the raw or unfinished state.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > treated or processed in specific way > [noun] > other

wet cloth1435

balk1841

kamptulicon1844

rougher1876

batch1911

Beaverette1922

tie-dye1926

permanent press1944

foamback1961

1841 R. W. Hamilton Nugæ Lit. 357 (Yorks. Dial.) Balk,..cloth in an unfinished state.

1860 S. Jubb Hist. Shoddy-trade 40 Short Ends were sold to the merchants..in the grey raised (not balk) state.

1876 W. Cudworth Round about Bradford 519 These clothiers attended the Leeds White Cloth Market..selling their cloth in the ‘balk’, or raw state.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2018).

balkv.¹

/bɔːk/

Forms: 1500s balck, 1500s–1600s balke, 1600s baulke, bawk, 1700s bauk, 1500s–1800s baulk, Middle English– balk.

Etymology: < balk n.¹

I. Senses relating to ploughing.

†1. transitive (and absol.) To make balks in ploughing; to plough up in ridges. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > plough in ridges

balk1393

1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 296 But so well halt no man the plough, That he ne balketh other while.

c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 184 To tille a felde man must have diligence, And balk it not.

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 5 With forck king Neptun is ayding. Hee balcks thee quicksands, and fluds dooth mollefye.

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Assilloner, to baulke, or plow up in baulkes.

a1640 T. Jackson Μαραν Αθα (1657) 3709 Whilest we labour to plough up your hearts..,we must not baulk that saying of St. John.]

II. Senses relating to missing or avoiding.

2. transitive. To miss or omit intentionally.

†a. literal. To pass by (a place), to avoid in passing; to shun.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > pass by

overpassa1382

balk1481

forpass1590

overslip1600

outstrip1632

depass1886

pass1894

1481 E. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 640 Mastyre Baley..woold not haue balkyd this pore loggeyng to Norwyche wardys.

1634 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. Hist. New Test. (STC 12640.5) 104 Jericho was in his way from Galilee to Jerusalem; hee balkes it not, though it were outwardly cursed.

1684 Lady Russell Lett. I. xv. 43 I hope you will not balk Totteridge, if I am here.

a1734 R. North Examen (1740) ii. iv. ⁋94 Going to Lord Clarendon..baulking the Secretary.

1783 Ainsworth's Thes. Linguæ Latinæ (new ed.) at Balk I will not balk your house.

b. figurative. To pass over, overlook, refrain from noticing (what comes in one's way); to shirk, ignore.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > allow to pass unnoticed

to look through ——OE

to let (something) overpassa1375

overpassa1382

unseea1395

forgoa1400

balkc1440

dissimulea1450

pass?c1475

dissemblea1500

dissimulatea1533

to wink at1535

nod1607

connive1641

beholdc1650

to wink against1653

to shut one's eyes to (also against, on)a1711

blink1742

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 22 Balkyn, or ouerskyppyn, omitto.

1582 Fleetwood in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. ii. 216 III. 90 As for my Lo. Maior..I am dryven every daie to bawk hym and his doynges.

1631 Foxe's Actes & Monuments (ed. 7) III. Contin. 34/2 The Bayliffe would faine haue baulked him, as if hee had not seene him.

1640 Bp. J. Hall Episcopacie i. §11. 39 I may not baulke two pregnant testimonies of the Fathers.

1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. 160 The spying of motes in our brother's eye, and baulking of beams in our own.

1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. ix. 42 Let me tell you, (nor will I balk it) my Brother..will want one Apology for his Conduct.

1848 L. Hunt Jar of Honey Pref. 4 No topic is baulked if it come uppermost.

c. To refuse (anything offered or that comes in course, e.g. food or drink).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > decline to receive or accept

forsakea800

refusec1400

renayc1400

repelc1443

reject1532

disavow1579

balk1587

deny1590

disaccept1647

to pass up1896

to turn down1900

1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 115 And balke your bed for shame.

a1625 J. Fletcher Monsieur Thomas (1639) i. i. sig. B2^v A bait you cannot balke sir.

1652 W. Blith Eng. Improver Improved xxvi. 182 If the stalk grow big cattell will balk it.

a1784 S. Johnson in Boswell Life Johnson (1831) I. 236 I never..balked an invitation out to dinner.

1810 G. Crabbe Borough xvi. 219 He took them all and never balk'd his Glass.

d. To avoid (a duty or responsibility).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > undutifulness > [verb (transitive)] > avoid

scuff1595

balk1631

evade1722

shirk1785

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > evade (responsibility or obligation)

feignc1300

quita1425

waivec1440

to shift off1577

shift?1611

balk1631

to go off ——1749

1631 J. Preston Treat. Effectual Faith 146 Thou must not balke the way of Religion, because of the troubles thou meetest.

a1708 W. Beveridge Private Thoughts Christian Life (1712) 194 Not that we should run our selves into danger, but that we should baulk no Duty to avoid it.

1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 257 Such an age as ours baulks no expence.

e. To let slip, fail to use, seize, keep, reach, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [verb (transitive)] > fail to take advantage of an opportunity

waivec1400

slack1548

slipc1592

balka1616

a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. ii. 23 This was look'd for at your hand, and this was baulkt .

1697 J. Dryden Ded. Georgics in tr. Virgil Wks. sig. ¶1 If I balk'd this opportunity.

1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. 2 This point of a' his wishes He wadna with set speeches bauk.

1826 H. Smith Gaieties & Gravities in C. Gibbon Casquet of Lit. (1877) I. 326/2 My adviser insisted upon my not baulking my luck.

a. intransitive. To stop short as at an obstacle, to pull up, swerve. esp. of a horse: To jib, refuse to go on, or to leap, to shy; also of the rider, and of any one on foot, refusing a leap. Also figurative (colloquial) to shy or jib at.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > avoid > balk or jib

balk1481

jib1812

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > balk at

balk1756

the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (intransitive)] > leap or prance > jump over obstacle > refuse to

refuse1525

reest1786

balk1862

1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 31 Ysegrym balked and sayde, ye make moche a doo sir tybert.

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. x. sig. K^v Ne euer ought but of their true loues talkt, Ne euer for rebuke or blame of any balkt .

1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 91 If he baulk'd, I knew I was undone.

1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters iii. 340 No man, that drinks water, baulks at a pint..in the day.

1843 C. J. Lever Jack Hinton xxv Burke..suddenly swerved his horse round, and affecting to baulk, cantered back.

1862 Melbourne Leader 5 July His horse balked at a leap, and threw him.

1908 J. M. Dillon Motor Days Eng. xx. 241 It was the only time I ever saw Maud balk at gooseberries.

†b. To lie out of the way. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > distance > distance or farness > be or remain at a distance [verb (intransitive)] > lie out of the way

balk1591

1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in Complaints 268 Labour that did from his liking balke.

†4. transitive. To miss by error or inadvertence. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > take wrongly, mistake [verb (transitive)] > through inadvertance

balk1579

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Sept. 93 They..balk the right way, and strayen abroad.

1652 O. Felltham Brief Char. Low-Countries 7 You cannot baulk your road without the hazard of drowning.

1710 S. Palmer Moral Ess. Prov. 6 Young dogs..balk the true game to ply every scent.

III. Senses relating to checking or thwarting.

5. transitive. To place a balk in the way of.

a. To check, hinder, thwart (a person or his or her action).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil > specifically a person

to warn (a person) his will1340

frustrate1447

disappoint1545

foila1564

balk1589

thorter1608

derail1891

1589 W. Warner Albions Eng. (new ed.) vi. xxxi. 136 I sometimes proffered kindnesse..But..was balked with a blush.

1635 J. Swan Speculum Mundi v. §2. 111 The King..must not be baulked in his late proceedings.

1726 D. Defoe Polit. Hist. Devil i. xi. 170 An Enemy who is baulk'd and defeated, but not overcome.

1821 Ld. Byron Two Foscari i. i, in Sardanapalus 195 They shall not balk my entrance.

1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. ii. xiii. 292 The sturdy cavalier was not to be balked in his purpose.

b. To check (feelings, or a person in regard to his or her feelings).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > make emotionally unfeeling [verb (transitive)] > suppress emotions

balk1682

1682 J. Dryden Religio Laici 14 Nor does it baulk my Charity, to find Th' Egyptian Bishop of another mind.

1746 Earl of Malmesbury Lett. I. 37 Lord Talbot was not much baulked with this rebuke.

1855 H. Martineau Autobiogr. (1877) I. 92 My home affections..all the stronger for having been repressed and baulked.

c. To disappoint (expectations, or any one in his or her expectations).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > disappointment > disappoint, frustrate [verb (transitive)] > frustrate, thwart

discomfitc1230

blenk?a1400

mispoint1480

fruster1490

frustrate?a1513

disappoint1545

destitutea1563

foila1564

deceive1571

thwart1581

balka1593

discomfort1596

unwont1629

fail1634

a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. F2^v We..must not come so neare and balke their lips.

1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. F3^v May your Store Never decay, nor baulk the Poor.

1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. x. 135 Balk'd of his prey, the yelling monster flies.

1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xxix. 286 Balk yourself of the pleasure of bullying.

1873 H. Spencer Study Sociol. vii. 161 Time after time our hopes are balked.

d. To frustrate, foil, render unsuccessful.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil

false?c1225

confoundc1315

blenk?a1400

matea1400

interrupt1464

blench1485

fruster?a1513

frustrate?a1513

infatuate1533

disappoint1545

prevent1555

foila1564

blank1566

thwart1581

confute1589

dispurpose1607

shorten1608

foola1616

vain1628

balk1635

throwa1650

scotch1654

bafflea1674

crossbar1680

transverse1770

tomahawk1773

throttle1825

wreck1855

stultify1865

derail1889

to pull the plug1923

rank1924

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > disappointment > disappoint, frustrate [verb (transitive)]

swikeOE

beguile1483

deludea1513

disappointa1513

dispointa1513

forsake1526

betray1594

mock1600

frustrate1663

evade1692

elude1694

balk1735

to let down1795

slip1890

1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iii. xiv. 178 To baulk those ills which present joyes bewray.

1735 J. Swift On Censure in Wks. II. 400 The most effectual Way to baulk Their Malice, is——to let them talk.

1848 C. Kingsley Saint's Trag. ii. v. 90 With which we try to balk the curse of Eve.

†6. transitive and absol. To meet arguments with objections; to quibble, chop logic, bandy words.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > controversy, dispute, argument > argue about, dispute [verb (transitive)]

traverse?1504

arguea1513

to stand in terms?a1562

to stand with ——1579

argle1589

bandy1589

balk1590

ventilate1607

controvert1609

sticklea1661

chop1685

militate1754

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii.ii. sig. Cc8 Her list in stryfull termes with him to balke.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. i. 34 Balke Lodgicke with acquaintaince that you haue.

1653 T. Manton Pract. Comm. James iii. 2, in Wks. IV. 227 They do not divide and baulk with God.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

balkv.²

Etymology: probably < Dutch balk-en to bray, bawl, shout, cognate with Old English bælcan to shout, vociferate (which would itself have given balch).

? Obsolete.

To signify to fishing-boats the direction taken by the shoals of herrings or pilchards, as seen from heights overlooking the sea; done at first by bawling or shouting, subsequently by signals. See balker n.²

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > catch fish [verb (transitive)] > direct fishing boats

hue1590

cond1602

balk1603

1603 Act 1 Jas. I c. 23 To wache for the saide Fishe, and to balke, hue, conde, direct, and guide the Fishermen which shall be vpon the saide Sea and Sea Coasts for the takinge of the saide Fishe.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2018).

n.¹c885

n.²1841

v.¹1393

v.²1603

单词	balk
释义	balkbaulkn.¹ /bɔːk/ Forms: Old English balca, balc, Middle English–1600s balke, Middle English–1600s baulke, 1500s balcke, 1600s–1800s baulk (northern dialect bauk, bawk), Middle English– balk. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Common Germanic, presenting several variant stems, with partial differentiation of sense: Old English balca ridge, bank = Old Frisian balca , Old Saxon balco , Middle Dutch balke , balc , Dutch balk , Old High German balcho , balco , Middle High German balke , German balken , ‘beam, trabs ,’ also Old English bolca ‘gangway of a ship,’ and Old Norse bjalki (Swedish biælke , bielke , Danish bjelke ) ‘beam,’ corresponding respectively to a Germanic ablaut-series balkon- , bolkon- , belkon- ; also Old Norse bálkr* , bǫ́lkr , ‘beam, bar, partition, division’, Old Swedish balker , bolker , Swedish balk ‘beam, balk, partition, section of a law’ < Germanic balku-z . Old English balc* ‘porca ’ (see 3), is either an error for balca , or = Old Norse bálkr . The relation of Old English bælc ‘covering (? flooring)’ is doubtful. The original sense was perhaps ‘bar’; compare Latin suf-fla(g)men , < Aryan bhalg- , bhlag-* . The Old English balca (balc ) and Old Norse bálkr appear to be combined in the Middle English; whether the latter distinguished balke and balk , the evidence does not show. Balk is the analogous spelling: compare stalk , talk , walk , etc.; but baulk is frequent, and in Billiards (sense 9) the prevailing spelling. I. A ridge generally, a dividing ridge; a bar. †1. A ridge, heap, or mound upon the ground; e.g. a grave-mound. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > rising ground or eminence > [noun] > small mound balkc885 bankc1175 hill1297 hillock1382 mow?1424 sunka1522 tump1589 anthill1598 pustule1651 mound1791 hag1805 moundlet1808 c885 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xvi. §2 Þa het he hí bindan, and on balcan legan. c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 62 My body on balke þer bod in sweuen. †2. A dividing ridge (of land); an isthmus; a bar of sand, etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > land > land mass > shore or bank > promontory, headland, or cape > [noun] > isthmus halse1488 necka1544 balka1552 isthmus1555 distrait1562 strait1562 strictland1577 land-passage1601 land-strait1601 isthm1609 land-neck1619 land-connection1876 thoroughfare1876 land-bridge1897 tombolo1897 a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) V. 13 A litle Balk of Sand cast up, the wich at low Waters prohibitith the Se to cum about. 1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vi. f. 74^v The narrow balke at which two Seas doe meete at hand. 1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vii. f. 86^v The balke that makes the streight diuorce Betweene the seas Iönian and Aegean. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island iv. xi. 40 A border-citie these two coasts removing; Which like a balk..Disparts the terms of anger, and of loving. II. A ridge left in ploughing; a miss, slip. 3. A ridge between two furrows (Latin porca), or a strip of ground left unploughed as a boundary line between two ploughed portions. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [noun] > broken land > arable or ploughed land > land missed in ploughing balkc1000 lynchet1674 rind1730 landshard1811 c1000 Ælfric Gloss. in Wright Voc. (W.) 147 Porca, balc. a1300 W. de Biblesworth in Wright Voc. 159 Vert choral, a grene balke. 1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. ix. 114 Dykers and deluers diggeden vp þe balkes. 1483 Cath. Angl. 19/1 Balke betwyx twa furris; creb(r)o, porca. 1562 W. Bullein Bk. Simples f. 16^v, in Bulwarke of Defence Euery mere and balke is full of it [sc. Scabios] in June. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Rogat. Week iv, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 498 How covetous men nowe a dayes plow vp so nigh the common balkes and walkes. 1576 G. Gascoigne Steele Glas sig. H.ij^v Earing vp the balks, that part their bounds. 1604 N. Breton Passionate Shepheard (1877) sig. B Who vpon a faire greene balke May at pleasures sit and walke. 1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd v. iii Last night I met him on a bawk, Whare yellow corn was growing. 1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 196 These earthern boundaries (baulks) are wearing fast out. 1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 104 He takes his rambles..Down narrow balks that intersect the fields. 4. a. A ridge or piece left unploughed by accident or carelessness; a piece missed in ploughing. (Often in phrase to make a balk or balks.) ΚΠ c1420 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 15 The balke, that thai calle, unered lande And overheled, beholde that there be noon. c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) vii. viii b 172 Making no balkes, y^e plough was truely hold. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. v^v If he go to the ploughe & loke backewarde he seyth nat whyder the plough..make a balke. 1647 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Worse Times iv. vi. 147 The husbandman may dart forth an Ejaculation and not make a balke the more. 1739 Burkitt's Expos. Notes N.T. (ed. 11) Luke ix. 62 He that ploughs must keep on, and make no Balks. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 277/2 The leaving of balks is a great fault, and is owing to..the ploughman not holding his plough upright. b. Hence figurative, esp. in to make a balk of good ground: to waste or throw away a good chance. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [verb (intransitive)] > fail to take advantage to burn seasonable weather1597 to miss of ——a1628 to make a balk of good ground1637 1637 W. Camden Remaines (ed. 5) 302 Make hay while sunne shines. Make not a balke of good ground. 1640 T. Fuller Joseph's Coat 30 The rich Corinthians in not inviting the poore, made Balkes of good ground. a1652 R. Brome New Acad. iii. i. 50 in Five New Playes (1659) Your plow makes vile baulkes of my money. 1857 H. G. Bohn Handbk. Prov. 69 Make not balks of good ground. 5. †a. figurative. A slip, mistake, a blunder. to make a balk: to blunder, go wrong. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > be mistaken, err [verb (intransitive)] dwelec900 haltc900 marOE slidea1000 misfangOE missOE to have wough?c1225 misnimc1225 misrekec1275 mis-startc1275 err1303 to go wrongc1340 misgo1340 slipc1340 snapperc1380 forvay1390 to miss of ——c1395 to make a balkc1430 to run in ——1496 trip1509 fault1530 mistake1548 misreckon1584 misstep1605 warpa1616 solecize1627 hallucinate1652 nod1677 to go will1724 to fare astray (misliche, amiss)a1849 slip1890 skid1920 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > an error, mistake > [noun] misnimming?c1225 errora1340 defaulta1387 balkc1430 fault1523 jeofail1546 errat1548 trip1548 naught1557 missa1568 missinga1568 slide1570 snappera1572 amiss1576 mistaking1579 misprize1590 mistake1600 berry-block1603 solecism1603 fallibility1608 stumblea1612 blota1657 slur1662 incorrectnessa1771 bumble1823 skew1869 (to make) a false step1875 slip-up1909 ricket1958 bad1981 c1430 Hymns to Virg. (1867) 92 Þouȝ a ȝong man make a balke, Ȝit take to þi mynde reuertere. 1661 W. Annand Panem Qvotidianvm 18 They..make such bawlks in their prayer. 1717 T. Tudway in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. IV. 311 Bentley's baulks and blunders about the king's reception. b. U.S. In baseball: (see quot. 1867). Also attributive. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > [noun] > fouls or errors balk1845 foul ball1855 block ball1891 interference1927 rock1937 1845 in Appletons' Ann. Cycl. 1885 (1886) 77/2 A runner can not be put out..when a balk is made by the pitcher. 1867 H. Chadwick Beadle's Dime Base-ball Player 53 A balked Ball.—Should the pitcher move his foot in delivery—thereby making a ‘balk’—and the Umpire call a ‘balk’ until the ball is returned to the pitcher, [etc.]. 1913 Amer. Mag. Sept. 24/1 Kilroy caught seven by his balk motion. †6. figurative. An omission, an exception. Obsolete or dialect. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being exclusive > [noun] > exclusion from a category, etc. > non-inclusion or omission > that which is leaving-out1584 balk1596 omission1621 left-out1878 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. xi. sig. Ii^v They fall to strokes..Not sparing wight, ne leauing any balke . View more context for this quotation 1666 J. Bunyan Grace Abounding ⁋315 But then I have asked why they made baulks? why they did salute the most handsome and let the ill favoured go? ?1748 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. (ed. 2) 29 I'r so keen-bitt'not I mede no bawks ot o Hay-seed. III. A ridge in one's path; A stumbling-block, check; a term in billiards. †7. A ridge in the way, over which one may stumble; a stumbling-block, obstacle. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [noun] > manner of walking > stumbling > one who or that which causes balk1549 tripper1605 stumbling-block1663 hub1669 trip-wire1916 1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Cvii^v He woulde not walke in bywalkes, where are many balkes. 1562 T. Sternhold et al. Whole Bk. Psalmes xviii. 35 So that my feete shall neuer slip, Nor stumble at a balke. 1747 W. Hooson Miners Dict. sig. N j How many Baulks and Obstructions..happen by the way. 8. figurative. a. A hindrance, check, or defeat. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > [noun] > one who or that which hinders > a hindrance, impediment, or obstacle hinderc1200 withsetting1340 obstaclec1385 traversea1393 mara1400 bayc1440 stoppagec1450 barrace1480 blocka1500 objecta1500 clog1526 stumbling-stone1526 bar1530 (to cast) a trump in (one's) way1548 stumbling-stock1548 hindrance1576 a log in one's way1579 crossbar1582 log1589 rub1589 threshold1600 scotch1601 dam1602 remora1604 obex1611 obstructiona1616 stumbling-blocka1616 fence1639 affront1642 retardance1645 stick1645 balk1660 obstruent1669 blockade1683 sprun1684 spoke1689 cross cause1696 uncomplaisance1707 barrier1712 obstruct1747 dike1770 abatis1808 underbrush1888 bunker1900 bump1909 sprag1914 hurdle1924 headwind1927 mudhole1933 monkey wrench1937 roadblock1945 1660 T. M. Walker's Hist. Independency IV. 78 As a balk to which the Committee of safety declared..that they had transmitted a great part of a form of government, etc. a1716 R. South 12 Serm. (1717) VI. 332 There cannot be a greater Baulk to the tempter. 1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 188 This was a Balk to them..and put a Damp to their new Projects. 1822 C. Lamb in London Mag. Mar. 282/1 It would be some balk to the spirit of conversation, if you knew. b. A disappointment. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > disappointment > [noun] > a disappointment balk1733 false dawn1832 rude awakening1895 coitus interruptus1900 swizzle1913 swizz1915 backfire1925 1733 J. Swift Life & Char. Dr. Swift 22 Poor Tom has got a plaguy baulk. 1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. viii. 37 It was a great Balk to her, that you did not comply with my Request. c. Of a horse: an instance of balking (cf. balk v.¹ 3). ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [noun] > leap > that jumps fence > refusing refusal1856 balk1866 1866 E. Keyes Diary 28 Apr. in Colorado Mag. (1933) 10 72 The horses were not used to being driven together..we had balks innumerable..but in the end on we would go as merry as ever. 9. a. transferred. The part of a billiard table behind a transverse line (the ‘baulk-line’) near one end, within the D or half-circle of which a player whose ball is in hand must place it to make a stroke. (As, in billiards, such player must play out from baulk, and can strike only indirectly at a ball lying within it, the original sense of the term was perhaps that of ‘check.’) In U.S., baulk-line is also applied to one of four lines drawn parallel to the side of the table or diagonally across the corners; also designating a carom billiards game in which these lines restrict scoring (see quot. 1910¹). Also attributive. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > table > part of table porch1699 balk1800 society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > table > lines baulk-line1839 string1857 stringing-line1873 string-line1897 anchor baulkline1910 1800 Hoyle's Games 250 When the striker's and the red ball are within the baulk, he is not obliged to pass the ball. 1839 E. Kentfield Game of Billiards 3 At the lower end of the table..is a line technically termed the Baulk Line. 1874 G. J. Whyte-Melville Uncle John ix She strung to begin—won—and put her ball in balk. 1896 W. Broadfoot in W. Broadfoot et al. Billiards (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) ix. 283 (heading) Safety and baulk play. 1896 W. Broadfoot in W. Broadfoot et al. Billiards (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) ix. 285 A few examples of safety and baulk strokes. 1906 Daily Chron. 19 Apr. 4/7 The 18.1 in. baulk-line champion. 1910 Encycl. Brit. III. 939/1 Various schemes have been devised to make the game more difficult. One of these is known as the ‘continuous baulk-line’. Lines are drawn, 8, 14, 18 or even 22 in. from the rails, parallel to the side of the table...In the case of the Triangular Baulk-line, lines are drawn at the four corners. 1910 Encycl. Brit. III. 939/1 The ‘anchor baulk-lines’..are drawn at the end of a baulk-line where it touches the rail. b. to make a baulk: to bring one's own and the red ball within the baulk, when the opponent's ball is in hand. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [verb (intransitive)] > actions or types of play carambole1775 string1814 cannon1825 to make a baulk1839 star1839 push1851 to play for safety1857 run1857 carom1860 to knock the balls about1864 miscue1889 snooker1889 break1893 break1893 scratch1909 to call one's shot1953 1839 E. Kentfield Game of Billiards 24 Directions for making what are termed baulks. IV. A beam of wood. 10. A roughly squared beam of timber; sometimes used technically to designate Baltic timber, which is roughly dressed before shipment. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > wood > wood in specific form > [noun] > roughly squared beam beam978 balka1400 needle1428 joist1487 sill1488 rafter1553 timbera1575 bat1577 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8783 Þe balk þat mast þe werk suld bind þai soght, and noþer-quar cuth find. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 66 He kan wel in myn eye seen a stalke But in his owene he kan noght seen a balke. 1483 Cath. Angl. 19/1 Balke of a howse, trabs. 1662 S. Pepys Diary 23 June (1970) III. 119 Deals, sparres, and balkes. 1666 London Gaz. No. 35/4 Laden with Oaken and Firr Balks. 1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. Explan. Terms 164 Bauk, a peece of Fir unslit, from four to ten Inches square. 1734 Builder's Dict. Balks..so some call great pieces of Timber coming from beyond Seas by Floats. 1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §38 A course of squared oak balks. 1881 Mechanic §136 The strongest timber obtainable..is that which is sawn out of baulks. 1884 Timber Tr. Jrnl. 14 June 417/3 Danzig fir balks. 11. A tie-beam of a house, stretching from wall to wall. In old one-storey houses these were often exposed and used for hanging or placing articles on, or laid with boards so as to form a loft, called ‘the balks.’ Now chiefly northern. ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > framework of building > [noun] > members of pan1284 balka1300 lacec1330 pautre1360 dorman1374 rib1378 montant1438 dormant?1454 transom1487 ground-pillar?a1500 barge-couple1562 spar foot1579 frankpost1587 tracing1601 sleeper1607 bressumer1611 master-beam1611 muntin1611 discharge1620 dormer1623 mounting post1629 tassel1632 baufrey1640 pier1663 storey post1663 breastplate?1667 mudsill1685 template1700 brow-post1706 brow-stone1761 runner1772 stretching beam1776 pole plate1787 sabliere1800 frame stud1803 bent1815 mounting1819 bond-timber1823 storey rod1823 wall-hold1833 wall-strap1833 truss-block1883 sleeper-beam1937 shell1952 a1300 W. de Biblesworth in Wright Voc. 170 Les trayes (gloss balkes). c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 440 Laddres thre To clymben by the ronges..Vn to the tubbes hangyng in the balkes. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zeph. ii. 14 Foules shal synge in the wyndowes and rauens shal syt vpon the balckes. 1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) viii. f. 106^v A flitch Of restie Bacon from the Balke made blacke with smoke. a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 55 When wee have brought up the farre roomestead as high as the balke. 1691 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Words (ed. 2) 5 The Balk or Bawk, the Summer-beam or Dorman. c1760 W. J. Mickle Nae Luck aboot the House There's twa fat hens upon the bauk. 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. i. xii. 90 The stiffest balk bends more or less; all joists creak. 12. A cross-beam or bar in a chimney or kiln. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > furnace or kiln > kiln > [noun] > parts of kiln balk1432 killogie15.. kiln-holea1616 muffle1644 logie1780 the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > that which or one who heats > [noun] > a device for heating or warming > devices for heating buildings, rooms, etc. > hearth or fireplace > beam over mantel1357 balk1432 manteltree1451 mantry1530 clavel1602 chimney-bar1833 1432 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1855) II. 23 Unum instrumentum ferreum in camino aulæ, vocatum balk. ?a1600 Felon Sow of Rokeby in W. Scott Rokeby (1813) p. lxxxv The sew was in the kiln hole down, As they were on the balke aboon. 13. The beam of a balance. Obsolete exc. dialect. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement by weighing > equipment for weighing > [noun] > a weighing apparatus > a balance > beam of a balance balk1399 beam1420 weigh-balkc1485 scale-beam1723 balance-yard1810 balance-beam1813 1399 Fabric Rolls Yk. Minstr. in Linc. Gloss. (E.D.S.) I balke ferri cum les scales et ponderibus. 1571 in W. Greenwell Wills & Inventories Registry Durham (1860) II. 364 Payre of great skales w^th y^e balk. 1673 J. Flavell Fountain of Life iv. 43 The balk of a ballance, to weigh Christs Excellency. 1854 H. Miller Schools & Schoolmasters (1858) xxiii. 509 To give..his customers ‘the cast of the baulk.’ Sc. Proverb, The young lamb comes as often to the bauk as the auld ewe. V. In fishing. [The connection of 16 with the other senses is doubtful.] 14. dialect. A set of stout stakes surrounded by netting or wicker work for catching fish. ΚΠ 1836 G. Head Home Tour 430 I observed some fish ‘balks’ on the sands..The fish are taken on the sand within the balk at low water. 15. The stout rope at the top of fishing nets by which they are fastened one to another in a ‘fleet.’ (In Cornwall balch.) ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > net > [noun] > ropes on nets norsel1440 head-roping1615 nostelling1615 warrope1615 way-rope1641 head rope?1748 warp1835 balk1847 trawl-warp1864 ground-rope1874 brail1883 shoreline1887 shore-rope- 1847 H. Miller First Impressions Eng. i. 3 Away from wave-top to wave-top, like the cork baulk of a fisherman's net afloat on the swell. 1880 T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words E. Cornwall in Gloss. Cornwall (E.D.S.) 76 Balch, a stout cord used for the head-line of a fishing net. Compounds † balk-line n. Obsolete ? a line hanging from the cross-beams. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > rope, cord, or line > types of warp1296 sewing-rope1336 viring-rope1336 wardrope1338 bast1357 breast rope1412 balk-line1506 waterline1626 shank1706 selvage1711 shroud hawser1744 white line1747 selvagee1750 cringle1787 staple-rope1794 bracing-rope1827 selvage-stropc1860 soga1860 four-cant1867 toggle-lanyard1874 maguey1908 snorter1950 snotter1950 1506 in C. Parkin Blomefield's Ess. Topogr. Hist. Norfolk (1775) V. 1670 A new balk-line to the star, and rysing the star, 8d. † balk-staff n. Obsolete a quarter-staff. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > club or stick > [noun] > armed club masuelc1312 macec1325 maulc1325 mell1333 brogged staff1429 balk-staffc1460 malleta1500 quarterstaff?1560 sport staff1634 morgenstern1637 roundhead1643 morning star1684 patu patu1769 patuc1771 shell-stick1790 holy water sprinkler1816 mace-head1824 shark's teeth sword1845 taiaha1845 c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 153 ‘He berith a Balstaff’ quod the toon, ‘els a rakis ende.’ 1664 C. Cotton Scarronides 21 Balk-staves, and Cudgells, Pikes & Truncheons. 1674 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 4 Balk-staff, a Quarter-staff, a great Staff like a Pole or Beam. balk-yard n. a timber-yard. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > lumbering > [noun] > timber-yard timber-yard1482 wood-fold1570 lumber-yard1786 balk-yard1823 chantier1823 1823 Let. in R. Polwhele Trad. & Recoll. (1826) II. 770 Straying into a balk-yard fell over a beam of timber. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022). balkn.² Etymology: < balk v.¹ in the local sense of ‘to leave unfinished’. Of cloth: in the raw or unfinished state. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > treated or processed in specific way > [noun] > other wet cloth1435 balk1841 kamptulicon1844 rougher1876 batch1911 Beaverette1922 tie-dye1926 permanent press1944 foamback1961 1841 R. W. Hamilton Nugæ Lit. 357 (Yorks. Dial.) Balk,..cloth in an unfinished state. 1860 S. Jubb Hist. Shoddy-trade 40 Short Ends were sold to the merchants..in the grey raised (not balk) state. 1876 W. Cudworth Round about Bradford 519 These clothiers attended the Leeds White Cloth Market..selling their cloth in the ‘balk’, or raw state. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2018). balkv.¹ /bɔːk/ Forms: 1500s balck, 1500s–1600s balke, 1600s baulke, bawk, 1700s bauk, 1500s–1800s baulk, Middle English– balk. Etymology: < balk n.¹ I. Senses relating to ploughing. †1. transitive (and absol.) To make balks in ploughing; to plough up in ridges. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > plough in ridges balk1393 1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 296 But so well halt no man the plough, That he ne balketh other while. c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 184 To tille a felde man must have diligence, And balk it not. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 5 With forck king Neptun is ayding. Hee balcks thee quicksands, and fluds dooth mollefye. 1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Assilloner, to baulke, or plow up in baulkes. a1640 T. Jackson Μαραν Αθα (1657) 3709 Whilest we labour to plough up your hearts..,we must not baulk that saying of St. John.] II. Senses relating to missing or avoiding. 2. transitive. To miss or omit intentionally. †a. literal. To pass by (a place), to avoid in passing; to shun. ΘΚΠ society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > pass by overpassa1382 balk1481 forpass1590 overslip1600 outstrip1632 depass1886 pass1894 1481 E. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 640 Mastyre Baley..woold not haue balkyd this pore loggeyng to Norwyche wardys. 1634 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. Hist. New Test. (STC 12640.5) 104 Jericho was in his way from Galilee to Jerusalem; hee balkes it not, though it were outwardly cursed. 1684 Lady Russell Lett. I. xv. 43 I hope you will not balk Totteridge, if I am here. a1734 R. North Examen (1740) ii. iv. ⁋94 Going to Lord Clarendon..baulking the Secretary. 1783 Ainsworth's Thes. Linguæ Latinæ (new ed.) at Balk I will not balk your house. b. figurative. To pass over, overlook, refrain from noticing (what comes in one's way); to shirk, ignore. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > allow to pass unnoticed to look through ——OE to let (something) overpassa1375 overpassa1382 unseea1395 forgoa1400 balkc1440 dissimulea1450 pass?c1475 dissemblea1500 dissimulatea1533 to wink at1535 nod1607 connive1641 beholdc1650 to wink against1653 to shut one's eyes to (also against, on)a1711 blink1742 c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 22 Balkyn, or ouerskyppyn, omitto. 1582 Fleetwood in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. ii. 216 III. 90 As for my Lo. Maior..I am dryven every daie to bawk hym and his doynges. 1631 Foxe's Actes & Monuments (ed. 7) III. Contin. 34/2 The Bayliffe would faine haue baulked him, as if hee had not seene him. 1640 Bp. J. Hall Episcopacie i. §11. 39 I may not baulke two pregnant testimonies of the Fathers. 1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. 160 The spying of motes in our brother's eye, and baulking of beams in our own. 1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. ix. 42 Let me tell you, (nor will I balk it) my Brother..will want one Apology for his Conduct. 1848 L. Hunt Jar of Honey Pref. 4 No topic is baulked if it come uppermost. c. To refuse (anything offered or that comes in course, e.g. food or drink). ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > decline to receive or accept forsakea800 refusec1400 renayc1400 repelc1443 reject1532 disavow1579 balk1587 deny1590 disaccept1647 to pass up1896 to turn down1900 1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 115 And balke your bed for shame. a1625 J. Fletcher Monsieur Thomas (1639) i. i. sig. B2^v A bait you cannot balke sir. 1652 W. Blith Eng. Improver Improved xxvi. 182 If the stalk grow big cattell will balk it. a1784 S. Johnson in Boswell Life Johnson (1831) I. 236 I never..balked an invitation out to dinner. 1810 G. Crabbe Borough xvi. 219 He took them all and never balk'd his Glass. d. To avoid (a duty or responsibility). ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > undutifulness > [verb (transitive)] > avoid scuff1595 balk1631 evade1722 shirk1785 the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > evade (responsibility or obligation) feignc1300 quita1425 waivec1440 to shift off1577 shift?1611 balk1631 to go off ——1749 1631 J. Preston Treat. Effectual Faith 146 Thou must not balke the way of Religion, because of the troubles thou meetest. a1708 W. Beveridge Private Thoughts Christian Life (1712) 194 Not that we should run our selves into danger, but that we should baulk no Duty to avoid it. 1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 257 Such an age as ours baulks no expence. View more context for this quotation e. To let slip, fail to use, seize, keep, reach, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [verb (transitive)] > fail to take advantage of an opportunity waivec1400 slack1548 slipc1592 balka1616 a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. ii. 23 This was look'd for at your hand, and this was baulkt . View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden Ded. Georgics in tr. Virgil Wks. sig. ¶1 If I balk'd this opportunity. 1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. 2 This point of a' his wishes He wadna with set speeches bauk. 1826 H. Smith Gaieties & Gravities in C. Gibbon Casquet of Lit. (1877) I. 326/2 My adviser insisted upon my not baulking my luck. 3. a. intransitive. To stop short as at an obstacle, to pull up, swerve. esp. of a horse: To jib, refuse to go on, or to leap, to shy; also of the rider, and of any one on foot, refusing a leap. Also figurative (colloquial) to shy or jib at. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > avoid > balk or jib balk1481 jib1812 the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > balk at balk1756 the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (intransitive)] > leap or prance > jump over obstacle > refuse to refuse1525 reest1786 balk1862 1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 31 Ysegrym balked and sayde, ye make moche a doo sir tybert. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. x. sig. K^v Ne euer ought but of their true loues talkt, Ne euer for rebuke or blame of any balkt . View more context for this quotation 1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 91 If he baulk'd, I knew I was undone. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters iii. 340 No man, that drinks water, baulks at a pint..in the day. 1843 C. J. Lever Jack Hinton xxv Burke..suddenly swerved his horse round, and affecting to baulk, cantered back. 1862 Melbourne Leader 5 July His horse balked at a leap, and threw him. 1908 J. M. Dillon Motor Days Eng. xx. 241 It was the only time I ever saw Maud balk at gooseberries. †b. To lie out of the way. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > distance > distance or farness > be or remain at a distance [verb (intransitive)] > lie out of the way balk1591 1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in Complaints 268 Labour that did from his liking balke. †4. transitive. To miss by error or inadvertence. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > take wrongly, mistake [verb (transitive)] > through inadvertance balk1579 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Sept. 93 They..balk the right way, and strayen abroad. 1652 O. Felltham Brief Char. Low-Countries 7 You cannot baulk your road without the hazard of drowning. 1710 S. Palmer Moral Ess. Prov. 6 Young dogs..balk the true game to ply every scent. III. Senses relating to checking or thwarting. 5. transitive. To place a balk in the way of. a. To check, hinder, thwart (a person or his or her action). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil > specifically a person to warn (a person) his will1340 frustrate1447 disappoint1545 foila1564 balk1589 thorter1608 derail1891 1589 W. Warner Albions Eng. (new ed.) vi. xxxi. 136 I sometimes proffered kindnesse..But..was balked with a blush. 1635 J. Swan Speculum Mundi v. §2. 111 The King..must not be baulked in his late proceedings. 1726 D. Defoe Polit. Hist. Devil i. xi. 170 An Enemy who is baulk'd and defeated, but not overcome. 1821 Ld. Byron Two Foscari i. i, in Sardanapalus 195 They shall not balk my entrance. 1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. ii. xiii. 292 The sturdy cavalier was not to be balked in his purpose. b. To check (feelings, or a person in regard to his or her feelings). ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > make emotionally unfeeling [verb (transitive)] > suppress emotions balk1682 1682 J. Dryden Religio Laici 14 Nor does it baulk my Charity, to find Th' Egyptian Bishop of another mind. 1746 Earl of Malmesbury Lett. I. 37 Lord Talbot was not much baulked with this rebuke. 1855 H. Martineau Autobiogr. (1877) I. 92 My home affections..all the stronger for having been repressed and baulked. c. To disappoint (expectations, or any one in his or her expectations). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > disappointment > disappoint, frustrate [verb (transitive)] > frustrate, thwart discomfitc1230 blenk?a1400 mispoint1480 fruster1490 frustrate?a1513 disappoint1545 destitutea1563 foila1564 deceive1571 thwart1581 balka1593 discomfort1596 unwont1629 fail1634 a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. F2^v We..must not come so neare and balke their lips. 1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. F3^v May your Store Never decay, nor baulk the Poor. 1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. x. 135 Balk'd of his prey, the yelling monster flies. 1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xxix. 286 Balk yourself of the pleasure of bullying. 1873 H. Spencer Study Sociol. vii. 161 Time after time our hopes are balked. d. To frustrate, foil, render unsuccessful. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil false?c1225 confoundc1315 blenk?a1400 matea1400 interrupt1464 blench1485 fruster?a1513 frustrate?a1513 infatuate1533 disappoint1545 prevent1555 foila1564 blank1566 thwart1581 confute1589 dispurpose1607 shorten1608 foola1616 vain1628 balk1635 throwa1650 scotch1654 bafflea1674 crossbar1680 transverse1770 tomahawk1773 throttle1825 wreck1855 stultify1865 derail1889 to pull the plug1923 rank1924 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > disappointment > disappoint, frustrate [verb (transitive)] swikeOE beguile1483 deludea1513 disappointa1513 dispointa1513 forsake1526 betray1594 mock1600 frustrate1663 evade1692 elude1694 balk1735 to let down1795 slip1890 1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iii. xiv. 178 To baulk those ills which present joyes bewray. 1735 J. Swift On Censure in Wks. II. 400 The most effectual Way to baulk Their Malice, is——to let them talk. 1848 C. Kingsley Saint's Trag. ii. v. 90 With which we try to balk the curse of Eve. †6. transitive and absol. To meet arguments with objections; to quibble, chop logic, bandy words. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > controversy, dispute, argument > argue about, dispute [verb (transitive)] traverse?1504 arguea1513 to stand in terms?a1562 to stand with ——1579 argle1589 bandy1589 balk1590 ventilate1607 controvert1609 sticklea1661 chop1685 militate1754 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii.ii. sig. Cc8 Her list in stryfull termes with him to balke. a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. i. 34 Balke Lodgicke with acquaintaince that you haue. View more context for this quotation 1653 T. Manton Pract. Comm. James iii. 2, in Wks. IV. 227 They do not divide and baulk with God. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022). balkv.² Etymology: probably < Dutch balk-en to bray, bawl, shout, cognate with Old English bælcan to shout, vociferate (which would itself have given balch). ? Obsolete. To signify to fishing-boats the direction taken by the shoals of herrings or pilchards, as seen from heights overlooking the sea; done at first by bawling or shouting, subsequently by signals. See balker n.² ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > catch fish [verb (transitive)] > direct fishing boats hue1590 cond1602 balk1603 1603 Act 1 Jas. I c. 23 To wache for the saide Fishe, and to balke, hue, conde, direct, and guide the Fishermen which shall be vpon the saide Sea and Sea Coasts for the takinge of the saide Fishe. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2018). < n.¹c885n.²1841v.¹1393v.²1603
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balkbaulkn.1

Compounds

balkn.2

balkv.1

balkv.2

balkbaulkn.¹

balkn.²

balkv.¹

balkv.²