balk

About 0.39 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing.
2. noun The wall of earth at the edge of an excavation.
3. noun Beam, crossbeam; squared timber; a tie beam of a house, stretching from wall to wall, especially when laid so as to form a loft, "the balks".
4. noun A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
5. noun A sudden and obstinate stop.
6. noun An omission.
7. noun A deceptive motion.
8. noun An illegal motion by the pitcher, intended to deceive a runner.

Similar words

rafter baulk jib resist flinch thwart retreat broken field land rean

Often followed by

at and the of when or in ra if

Word family

balked balker balkers balking balks