Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [bawk]
- /bɔk/
- /bɔːk/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [bawk]
- /bɔk/
Definitions of balking word
- verb without object balking 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. 1
- verb without object balking (of a horse, mule, etc.) to stop short and stubbornly refuse to go on. 1
- verb without object balking Baseball. to commit a balk. 1
- verb with object balking to place an obstacle in the way of; hinder; thwart: a sudden reversal that balked her hopes. 1
- verb with object balking Archaic. to let slip; fail to use: to balk an opportunity. 1
- noun balking a check or hindrance; defeat; disappointment. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of balking
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English; Old English balca covering, beam, ridge; cognate with Old Norse bǫlkr bar, partition, Dutch balk, Old Saxon balko, German Balken, Old Norse bjalki beam, Old English bolca plank; perhaps akin to Latin sufflāmen, Slovene blazína, Lithuanian balžíenas beam. See balcony
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Balking
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
balking popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 52% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
balking usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for balking
adjective balking
- disinclined — lacking desire or willingness; unwilling; averse: I'm disinclined to go to the movies tonight.
- shying — bashful; retiring.
- defensive — You use defensive to describe things that are intended to protect someone or something.
Top questions with balking
- what is balking?
- what is balking in baseball?
- what does balking mean?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with b
- Words starting with ba
- Words starting with bal
- Words starting with balk
- Words starting with balki
- Words starting with balkin
- Words starting with balking