balky
|balk-y|
/ˈbɔːlki/
refusing to cooperate or work
Etymology
'balky' originates in English as an adjective formed by adding the suffix '-y' to the verb/noun 'balk'.
'balk' in English comes from Old English 'balca' (or Old Norse/Old Germanic cognates) meaning 'beam' or 'ridge'; the sense of an obstacle or something that stops movement developed, and later the verb sense 'to stop short, refuse' emerged. The modern adjective 'balky' developed from this verb/noun with the productive adjectival '-y' suffix.
Initially related to a physical beam or ridge (an obstacle), the term came to mean 'to stop short' or 'refuse to proceed', and 'balky' now means 'reluctant to cooperate' or 'not working properly'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
reluctant to proceed or comply; uncooperative or stubborn (often said of people or animals).
The balky mule refused to move despite the driver's shouting.
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Adjective 2
not functioning properly or refusing to work smoothly (said of machines, vehicles, or systems).
The balky printer kept jamming and wouldn't finish the print job.
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Last updated: 2026/01/05 18:14