Balk

Baulk , bawk, n. a ridge left unploughed, intentionally or through carele ne : ( obs. ) an omi ion: squared timber: a tie-beam of a house, stretching from wall to wall, esp. when laid so as to form a loft, 'the balks:' ( obs. ) the beam of a balance: the rope by which fishing-nets are fastened together: a hindrance or disappointment.— v.t. to ignore, pa over: refuse: avoid: let slip: to check, disappoint, or elude: to meet arguments with objections.— v.i. to swerve, pull up: ( Spens. ) lie out of the way.— n. Balk′-line , in billiards, a line drawn acro the table 28½ inches from the face of the bottom cushion—a ball is said to be in balk when within this space. [A.S. balca , ridge; Old High Ger. balcho .]