Balked

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To suddenly stop short and show an unwillingness to continue an action while expressing doubt or apprehension
2. To hesitate in making a decision or taking a step forward, often due to uncertainty or resistance
3. To abruptly refuse to move forward or take action when expected ; to pause or delay a decision because of uncertainty or reluctance

Etymology: "Balked" is the past tense of "balk," and the verb's core sense of stopping short at an obstacle comes from a physical image: a ridge or partition of land. "Balk" descends from Old English "balca," which probably came from or was influenced by Old Norse "bálkr," meaning a partition or a ridge of land, traceable to a Proto-Germanic root. The same root gave Dutch "balk" and German "Balken," both meaning a beam or timber, and Italian "balcone," which became "balcony." The sense of refusing to go on grew from the notion of a barrier. A ridge or beam set across a path stops anyone trying to pass, so a horse that digs in its hooves at a fence, or a person who halts before an unpleasant task, is figuratively blocked by something like a wall. Over time the noun for the obstacle itself gave way to the verb describing the reaction to it.

Synonyms: hesitated, refused, stopped

Antonyms: proceeded, agreed, continued