a ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside.-a great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. the loft above was called "the balks."-one of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge.-a hindrance or disappointment; a check.-a sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.-a deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball.-to leave or make balks in.-to leave heaped up; to heap up in piles.-to omit, miss, or overlook by chance.-to miss intentionally; to avoid; to shun; to refuse; to let go by; to shirk.-to disappoint; to frustrate; to foil; to baffle; to /hwart; as, to balk expectation.-to engage in contradiction; to be in opposition.-to stop abruptly and stand still obstinately; to jib; to stop short; to swerve; as, the horse balks.-to indicate to fishermen, by shouts or signals from shore, the direction taken by the shoals of herring.