Baulked

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Stopped suddenly or hesitated, often due to fear or uncertainty ; showed unwillingness to proceed or refuse to do something
2. Hesitated and drew back from an action or decision ; declined or rejected an offer or request
3. Was reluctant and balked at moving forward ; expressed refusal or resistance to comply with a demand or expectation

Etymology: "Baulked" is the British spelling of "balked," the past tense and past participle of "baulk," a verb that began as a word for a ridge or beam. Its history follows that physical image: in Old English, "balca" meant a ridge or beam, and a ridge of land left unplowed between furrows became the sense that gave the verb its later meaning of stopping short or refusing to go on. A horse that suddenly digs in its heels at an obstacle is, in the same spirit, balking.

Synonyms: hesitated, stopped, refused, flinched, recoiled

Antonyms: accepted, embraced, agreed, welcomed, complied