Main Entry:

²balk

Function:

verb

Date:

15th century

transitive verb

1archaic : to pass over or by2: to check or stop by or as if by an obstacle : blockintransitive verb1: to stop short and refuse to proceed2: to refuse abruptly —used with at<Congress balked at putting up the money — Thomas Fleming>3: to commit a balk in sports

synonyms see frustrate

— balk·er noun