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bulk
bulk / bəlk/ • n. the mass or magnitude of something large: the sheer bulk of the bags. ∎ a large mass or shape, for example of a building or a heavy body: he moved quickly in spite of his bulk. ∎ [as adj.] large in quantity or amount: bulk orders of more than 100 copies. ∎ (the bulk) the majority or greater part of something: the bulk of the traffic had passed. ∎ roughage in food: bread and potatoes supply energy, essential protein, and bulk. ∎ cargo that is an unpackaged mass such as grain, oil, or milk. • v. 1. [intr.] be or seem to be of great size or importance: territorial questions bulked large in diplomatic relations. 2. [tr.] treat (a product) so that its quantity appears greater than it in fact is: traders were bulking up their flour with chalk. ∎ [intr.] (bulk up) build up body mass, typically in training for athletic events. PHRASES: in bulk 1. (esp. of goods) in large quantities, usually at a reduced price: buying tomatoes in bulk from a local farmer. 2. (of a cargo or commodity) loose; not packaged: sugar is imported in bulk and bagged on the island. ORIGIN: Middle English: the senses ‘cargo as a whole’ and ‘heap, large quantity’ (the earliest recorded) are probably from Old Norse búlki ‘cargo’; the origin of other senses remains uncertain, perhaps arising by alteration of obsolete bouk ‘belly, body.’ |
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"bulk." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "bulk." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-bulk.html "bulk." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-bulk.html |
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bulk
bulk
A. cargo (in bulk, in large unbroken quantities) XIV; †heap XV; B. †belly, trunk, body XIV; large body, huge frame XVI; C. magnitude, volume, mass XV. In A — ON. (cf. OIcel. búlki cargo); in B perh. at first an alt. of †bouk, OE. būc belly = OS, būk, OHG. būh (G. bauch), ON. búkr :- Gmc. *búkaz; in C prob. transf. use of either A or B. Hence bulk vb. (in several unconnected uses) XVI. bulky XV. |
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T. F. HOAD. "bulk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "bulk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-bulk.html T. F. HOAD. "bulk." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-bulk.html |
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Bulk
Bulka main mass or amount; a heap; a cargo; a considerable amount. See also mass. Examples: bulk of people, 1711; of pilchards [a pile awaiting salting], 1822; of popery, 1641; of seals, 1881; of ships, 1658; of tobacco [a pile arranged for curing]. |
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Cite this article
"Bulk." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Bulk." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300182.html "Bulk." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300182.html |
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bulk
bulk
•calque, talc
•catafalque
•elk, whelk
•bilk, ilk, milk, silk
•Liebfraumilch • buttermilk • volk
•bulk, hulk, skulk, sulk
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Cite this article
"bulk." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "bulk." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-bulk.html "bulk." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-bulk.html |
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