Baulk: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
baulk
[ bษหk ]
hesitate action
To baulk means to hesitate or be unwilling to proceed with something, especially in a way that involves a strong sense of reluctance or resistance. It often refers to a sudden stop or an obstruction in taking action.
Synonyms
hesitate, refuse, resist, shy away.
Examples of usage
- He baulked at the idea of moving to another country.
- She baulked when asked to speak in public.
- They baulked at the cost of the renovation.
- The horse baulked when it saw the water.
obstacle barrier
A baulk can refer to an obstacle or barrier that hinders progress or prevents something from happening. In a general sense, it can relate to any physical or metaphorical hindrance.
Synonyms
barrier, hindrance, impediment, obstacle.
Examples of usage
- There was a baulk in the road that prevented us from moving forward.
- The project faced a baulk due to lack of funding.
- The baulk in negotiations led to a stalemate.
- His lack of experience became a baulk in his career advancement.
Translations
Translations of the word "baulk" in other languages:
๐ต๐น desviar
๐ฎ๐ณ เค เคตเคฐเฅเคง เคเคฐเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช abblocken
๐ฎ๐ฉ menghalangi
๐บ๐ฆ ะทะฐะฒะฐะปะธัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ zablokowaฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ๅฆจใใ
๐ซ๐ท bloquer
๐ช๐ธ bloquear
๐น๐ท engellemek
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ง๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุนูู
๐จ๐ฟ zablokovat
๐ธ๐ฐ zablokovaลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ้ป็ข
๐ธ๐ฎ ovirati
๐ฎ๐ธ hindra
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะบะตะดะตัะณั ะถะฐัะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ mane olmaq
๐ฒ๐ฝ bloquear
Etymology
The word 'baulk' has its origins in the Old English term 'balca', which refers to a beam or a ridge. It is related to the Middle Dutch word 'balke,' which means timber or beam. Over time, the meanings of 'baulk' shifted to denote an obstruction or a hesitation to act. In the 19th century, the modern spelling 'baulk' emerged, particularly in British English, where it became associated with the act of hesitating or being reluctant to move forward. The American English equivalent 'bulk' refers to a different concept, primarily related to size or mass. Thus, while 'baulk' retains a connotation of obstruction or hesitation, its original sense related to physical structures has mostly faded in contemporary language.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #35,056, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
- ...
- 35053 regnant
- 35054 goldfinch
- 35055 understating
- 35056 baulk
- 35057 plagiarized
- 35058 overfed
- 35059 bulldozing
- ...