/ English Dictionary |
BAULK
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
One of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("baulk" is a kind of...):
beam (long thick piece of wood or metal or concrete, etc., used in construction)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
Synonyms:
balk; baulk; check; deterrent; handicap; hinderance; hindrance; impediment
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("baulk" is a kind of...):
difficulty (a factor causing trouble in achieving a positive result or tending to produce a negative result)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "baulk"):
albatross; millstone ((figurative) something that hinders or handicaps)
bind (something that hinders as if with bonds)
diriment impediment ((canon law) an impediment that invalidates a marriage (such as the existence of a prior marriage))
drag (something that slows or delays progress)
obstacle; obstruction (something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted)
straitjacket (anything immaterial that severely hinders or confines)
Sense 3
Meaning:
The area on a billiard table behind the balkline
Example:
a player with ball in hand must play from the balk
Synonyms:
balk; baulk
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Hypernyms ("baulk" is a kind of...):
area; expanse; surface area (the extent of a 2-dimensional surface enclosed within a boundary)
Holonyms ("baulk" is a part of...):
billiard table; pool table; snooker table (game equipment consisting of a heavy table on which pool is played)
II. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they baulk ... he / she / it baulks
Past simple: baulked
-ing form: baulking
Sense 1
Meaning:
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "baulk" is one way to...):
disobey (refuse to go along with; refuse to follow; be disobedient)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Derivation:
baulker (a person who refuses to comply)