A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside.
A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called "the balks."
One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge.
A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.
A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball. It is illegal and is penalized by allowing the runners on base to advance one base.
To leave or make balks in.
To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles.
To omit, miss, or overlook by chance.
To miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk.
To disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to thwart; as, to balk expectation.
To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition.
To stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks.
to commit a balk{6}; - of a pitcher.
To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.
