Balk: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ซ
balk
[ bษk ]
stop short
To balk means to stop short and refuse to proceed, often used in reference to an animal that refuses to move forward. It can also describe a situation where someone hesitates to take action or fails to act as expected.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The horse balked at the jump.
- He balked at the idea of working overtime.
- They balked when asked to volunteer.
obstruction
In baseball, a balk is an illegal motion by the pitcher that may deceive the base runners, typically leading to an advancement of the runners. It is a technical term used to describe a specific infraction during the game.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The umpire called a balk against the pitcher.
- The team lost a run due to a costly balk.
- He was confused by the balk ruling.
Translations
Translations of the word "balk" in other languages:
๐ต๐น varanda
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฌเคพเคฒเคเคจเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Balkon
๐ฎ๐ฉ beranda
๐บ๐ฆ ะฑะฐะปะบะพะฝ
๐ต๐ฑ balkon
๐ฏ๐ต ใใซใณใใผ
๐ซ๐ท balcon
๐ช๐ธ balcรณn
๐น๐ท balkon
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฐ์ฝ๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ุดุฑูุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ balkรณn
๐ธ๐ฐ balkรณn
๐จ๐ณ ้ณๅฐ
๐ธ๐ฎ balkon
๐ฎ๐ธ svรถlum
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะฐะปะบะพะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ balkon
๐ฒ๐ฝ balcรณn
Etymology
The word 'balk' comes from the Middle English word 'balken', which meant to refuse or to stop short. This term has roots in the Old English 'balca', meaning a beam or ridge, and it may also be linked to similar words in other Germanic languages that convey the idea of hindrance. The transitional meanings reflect an evolution from a physical obstruction to a metaphorical hesitation or refusal to act, indicating that the concept of stopping or hindering one's actions has been present in various cultures for centuries. Over time, 'balk' evolved to be used prominently in sporting contexts, particularly in baseball, where it describes a specific illegal pitch maneuver. The dual meanings in both general English and specific jargon illustrate the dynamic nature of language and its ability to adapt to different contexts.