balk

1. v. i. A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside. Source: opted

2. v. i. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called "the balks." Source: opted

3. v. i. One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge. Source: opted

4. v. i. A hindrance or disappointment; a check. Source: opted

5. v. i. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure. Source: opted

6. v. i. A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball. Source: opted

7. v. t. To leave or make balks in. Source: opted

8. v. t. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles. Source: opted

9. v. t. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance. Source: opted

10. v. t. To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk. Source: opted

11. v. t. To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to /hwart; as, to balk expectation. Source: opted

12. v. i. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition. Source: opted

13. v. i. To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks. Source: opted

14. v. i. To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring. Source: opted

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