<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used without object) to stop, as at an obstacle, and refuse to proceed or to do something specified (usually followed by at): He balked at making the speech.</li><li>(of a horse, mule, etc.) to stop short and stubbornly refuse to go on.</li><li>(used with object) to place an obstacle in the way of; hinder; thwart: a sudden reversal that balked her hopes.</li></ul><p><strong>Synonyms</strong></p><ul><li>prevent</li><li>impede</li><li>obstruct</li><li>retard</li><li>check</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a check or hindrance; defeat; disappointment.</li><li>a strip of land left unplowed.</li><li>a crossbeam in the roof of a house that unites and supports the rafters; tie beam.</li><li>any heavy timber used for building purposes.</li><li>Baseball: an illegal motion by a pitcher while one or more runners are on base, resulting in a penalty advancing the runner or runners one base.</li><li>Billiards: any of the eight panels or compartments lying between the cushions of the table and the balklines.</li><li>Obsolete: a miss, slip, or failure: to make a balk.</li></ul>