Main Entry: ²balk

Function: verb

Date: 15th century

transitive verb

1 archaic : to pass over or by
2 : to check or stop by or as if by an obstacle : blockintransitive verb 1 : to stop short and refuse to proceed
2 : 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