Having qualities characteristic of balking; showing reluctance or stubbornness in a somewhat mild way.
From 'balk' (to refuse or hesitate) plus the suffix '-ish' (somewhat or resembling). The suffix '-ish' comes from Old English and Germanic roots meaning 'of the nature of' or 'somewhat.'
English uses '-ish' to soften descriptors—'reddish' means somewhat red, 'foolish' means showing fool-like qualities. 'Balkish' is a rare example of applying this softening to an action, making stubbornness sound almost gentle.
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