Balk \Balk\, n. [AS. balca beam, ridge; akin to Icel. b[=a]lkr partition, bj[=a]lki beam, OS. balko, G. balken; cf. Gael. balc ridge of earth between two furrows. Cf. Balcony, Balk, v. i., 3d Bulk.]

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

Bad plowmen made balks of such ground. --Fuller.

2. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called ``the balks.''

Tubs hanging in the balks. --Chaucer.

3. (Mil.) One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge.

4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check.

A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker. --South.

5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.

6. (Baseball) A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball.

Balk line (Billiards), a line across a billiard table near one end, marking a limit within which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game; also, a line around the table, parallel to the sides, used in playing a particular game, called the balk line game.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Balk \Balk\, v. i.

1. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition. [Obs.]

In strifeful terms with him to balk. --Spenser.

2. To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks.

Note: This has been regarded as an Americanism, but it occurs in Spenser's ``Fa["e]rie Queene,'' Book IV., 10, xxv.

Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt, Ne ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Balk \Balk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Balked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Balking.]

[From Balk a beam; orig. to put a balk or beam in one's way, in order to stop or hinder. Cf., for sense 2, AS. on balcan legan to lay in heaps.]

1. To leave or make balks in. [Obs.]

--Gower.

2. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles. [Obs.]

Ten thousand bold Scots, two and twenty knights, Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see. --Shak.

3. To omit, miss, or overlook by chance. [Obs.]

4. To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk. [Obs. or Obsolescent]

By reason of the contagion then in London, we balked the ?nns. --Evelyn.

Sick he is, and keeps his bed, and balks his meat. --Bp. Hall.

Nor doth he any creature balk, But lays on all he meeteth. --Drayton.

5. To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to ?hwart; as, to balk expectation.

They shall not balk my entrance. --Byron.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Balk \Balk\, v. i. [Prob. from D. balken to bray, bawl.]

To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)