verb / noun
balk
BAWK/bɔːk/
An obstruction or refusal that halts progress.
The horse balks at the low fence while its handler waits.
Etymology
A balca was a ridge, especially an unplowed strip in a field. Seen as an obstruction, it supplied the image of stopping short before an obstacle, then refusing to proceed.
In context
never think twice about hiring a cataloger or hiring someone to do collection development, but a lot of libraries balk at hiring someone with IT skills
More examples
- She balked at paying such a high fee.
- The unexpected expense became a balk to their progress.
- Several members are balking at the proposed change.
Forms
balk · balks · balked · balking