Balk
WordNet
noun
(1) An illegal pitching motion while runners are on base
(2) One of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
(3) Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
(4) The area on a billiard table behind the balkline
"A player with ball in hand must play from the balk"
verb
(5) Refuse to comply
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From balke, balca, either from or influenced by , cognate with balko, Balken "balk," balcone "balcony".
Noun
- ridge, an unplowed strip of land. (One use is to walk on it.)
- beam.
- hindrance.
- blunder.
- deceptive motion; feint
- an illegal motion intended to deceive a runner.
- motion used to deceive an opponent during a serve
Verb
- to pass over or by.
- to stop, check, block.
- to stop short and refuse to go on.
- to refuse suddenly.