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Baulk: meaning, definitions and examples

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baulk

 

[ bษ”หk ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

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.
Context #2 | Noun

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:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น desviar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคตเคฐเฅ‹เคง เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช abblocken

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menghalangi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐะฒะฐะปะธั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zablokowaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฆจใ’ใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท bloquer

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ bloquear

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท engellemek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ง‰๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุนูŠู‚

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zablokovat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zablokovaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้˜ป็ข

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ovirati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hindra

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะตะดะตั€ะณั– ะถะฐัะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒšแƒแƒ™แƒ˜แƒ แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mane olmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ bloquear

Word origin

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.