balk

Pronounced: bawk, noun/verb

Notes: Also spelled “baulk”; there is one definition of this word that I did not know

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Yesterday’s word

The word delectation means “delight; enjoyment”

First usage

Our word came into English in the late 1300s

Background / Comments

Our word came from the Middle English word delectacioun, which came from the Latin word delectation (delight). Synonyms of our word are pleasure, delight, and enjoyment, but the words have different shades of meaning: “pleasure” is gratification or satisfaction of the senses; “delight” is a kind of mental enjoyment of pleasure, and may not last as long as the sense from “pleasure”. The word “enjoyment” implies a deep pleasure that can be temporary or a deep-seated happiness. Our word – delectation – is more of a reaction (usually amusement or diversion) to a pleasurable experience.