balks

1. An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing.
2. The wall of earth at the edge of an excavation.
3. Beam, crossbeam; squared timber; a tie beam of a house, stretching from wall to wall, especially when laid so as to form a loft, "the balks".
4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.
6. An omission.
7. A deceptive motion; a feint.
8. The area of the table lying behind the line from which the cue ball is initially shot, and from which a ball in hand must be played.
9. The area of the table lying behind the baulk line.
10. The rope by which fishing nets are fastened together.

1. To pass over or by.
2. To omit, miss or overlook by chance.
3. To miss intentionally; to avoid.
4. To stop, check, block.
5. To stop short and refuse to go on.

   The horse balked.

6. To refuse suddenly.
7. To disappoint; to frustrate.

   to balk expectation

8. To engage in contradiction; to be in opposition.
9. To leave or make balks in.
10. To leave heaped up; to heap up in piles.

verb

To indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.