balk

Meanings

• Verb

  Refuse to proceed or act, often in a sudden or unexpected way, especially in a situation where this is expected or required.

  - "The horse balked at the sudden loud noise."
  - "The negotiator balked at the unreasonable demand."

---

Pronunciation

1. /bɔːk/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89033093"

---

Synonyms

avoid , refuse , shirk , shun , baffle , foil , frustrate , thwart , miss , overlook

---

Rhymes

Words rhyming with balk
walk , talk , hawk , awk

---

Variants

List of all variants of balk that leads to same result
balk , balked , balker , balkers , balking , balks , baulk , baulked , baulking , baulks

---

Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originated from the Old English word 'baluken', meaning to shy or startle, often in relation to horses.

---

Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'balk' is also used in baseball, where a pitcher may 'balk' if they make an illegal motion before throwing the ball.

2. The word 'balk' is often used interchangeably with the term 'hesitate'.

3. In some dialects, the term 'baulk' is used instead of 'balk'.

4. The term 'balk' is derived from the Old English word 'baluken', which means 'to shy or startle'.

5. The term 'balk' can also be used in relation to other animals, such as cows or goats, that may suddenly stop or refuse to move forward.

---

Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Obstacle: The act of 'balking' is often associated with encountering an obstacle or challenge.

2. Shyness: The term can also be used to describe a horse or person that shies or becomes reluctant in certain situations.

---

Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, 'balk' has been used to describe unexpected obstacles or challenges. For instance, in Shakespeare's 'Othello', the character Iago creates a 'balk' for Othello by planting false suspicions.

How to Memorize "balk"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a horse suddenly stopping and refusing to move forward, or picture yourself in a situation where you unexpectedly refuse to proceed.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word with the image of a horse shying away from an obstacle or a person hesitating in a difficult situation.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic using the first letter of each definition: 'Boldly Acting Like a Knight' for 'Refuse to proceed or act, often in a sudden or unexpected way, especially in a situation where this is expected or required.' or 'Balking Horses Always Leap Kick' for 'Refuse to move, especially in a sudden or unexpected way, often in relation to horses.'

---

Memorize "balk" using Dictozo

The best and recommended way to memorize balk is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

1. Highlighting:

   Whenever users encounters the saved word on a webpage, Dictozo highlights it, drawing the user's attention and reinforcing memorization.
2. Periodic Reminders:

   Dictozo will send you periodic reminders to remind you the saved word, it will ask you quiz. These reminders could be in the form of notifications or emails, prompting users to recall and reinforce their knowledge.