noun

1. An uncultivated ridge formed in the open field system, caused by the action of ploughing.

2. The wall of earth at the edge of an excavation.

3. Beam, crossbeam; squared timber; a tie beam of a house, stretching from wall to wall, especially when laid so as to form a loft, "the balks".

verb

1. To pass over or by.

2. To omit, miss or overlook by chance.

3. To miss intentionally; to avoid.

Synonyms: avoid, refuse, shirk, shun, baffle, foil, frustrate, thwart