balkline

[ bawk-lahyn ]

noun

Sports. (in track events) the starting line.
Billiards.
- a straight line drawn across the table behind which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game.
- any of four lines, each near to and parallel with one side of the cushion, that divide the table into a large central panel or section and eight smaller sections or balks lying between these.
- a balk lying inside one of these sections.
- balk (def. 11).

Origin of balkline

First recorded in 1830–40; balk + line¹

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