51³Ô¹Ï

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View synonyms for

bulk

1

[ buhlk ]

noun

  1. magnitude in three dimensions, especially great size or extent: a defensive tackle better known for his bulk than for his speed and agility.

    a ship of massive bulk;

    a defensive tackle better known for his bulk than for his speed and agility.

  2. a body or mass, especially a large one: The granite bulk can be seen for 100 miles in many directions.

    The humpback whale was pushing its bulk through the water.

    The granite bulk can be seen for 100 miles in many directions.

  3. the greater part; main mass or body:

    The bulk of the debt was paid.

  4. Transportation. bulk cargo.
  5. (of paper, cardboard, yarn, etc.) thickness, especially in relation to weight.


adjective

  1. being or traded in bulk:

    bulk grain.

verb (used without object)

  1. to increase in size; expand; swell.
  2. to be of or give the appearance of great weight, size, or importance:

    The problem bulks large in his mind.

  3. (of paper, cardboard, yarn, etc.) to be of or to acquire a specific thickness, especially in relation to weight.
  4. to gather, form, or mix into a cohesive or uniform mass.

verb (used with object)

  1. to cause to swell, grow, or increase in weight or thickness.
  2. to gather, bring together, or mix.

verb phrase

  1. to increase the bulk of, especially by increasing the thickness of:

    Adding four chapters will bulk up the book.

bulk

2

[ buhlk ]

noun

Architecture.
  1. a structure, as a stall, projecting from the front of a building.

bulk

/ ²úÊŒ±ô°ì /

noun

  1. volume, size, or magnitude, esp when great
  2. the main part

    the bulk of the work is repetitious

  3. a large body, esp of a person

    he eased his bulk out of the chair

  4. the part of food which passes unabsorbed through the digestive system

    he eased his bulk out of the chair

  5. unpackaged cargo or goods
  6. a ship's cargo or hold
  7. printing
    1. the thickness of a number of sheets of paper or cardboard
    2. the thickness of a book excluding its covers
  8. plural copies of newspapers sold in bulk at a discounted price to hotels, airlines, etc which issue them free to their customers
  9. in bulk
    1. in large quantities
    2. (of a cargo, etc) unpackaged
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to cohere or cause to cohere in a mass
  2. to place, hold, or transport (several cargoes of goods) in bulk
  3. bulk large
    to be or seem important or prominent

    the problem bulked large in his mind

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

The use of a plural noun after bulk was formerly considered incorrect, but is now acceptable
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Pronunciation Note

Bulk and bulge most often are pronounced with the vowel [uh] of buck. In South Midland and Southern U.S. the [oo] of book and bull commonly occurs among all speakers. Standard British speech has only [uh]. Both types exist in British regional speech, and both were brought to the colonies, where each came to predominate in a different area and was carried west by migration.
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of bulk1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English bolke, bulke “heap, cargo, hold,†from Old Norse bulki “cargo, ship's holdâ€

Origin of bulk2

First recorded in 1580–90; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Old Norse ²úá±ô°ì°ù “partition, balkâ€
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of bulk1

C15: from Old Norse bulki cargo
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Idioms and Phrases

  1. in bulk,
    1. unpackaged:

      Fresh orange juice is shipped from Florida in bulk.

    2. in large quantities:

      Those who buy in bulk receive a discount.

More idioms and phrases containing bulk

see in bulk .
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Synonym Study

See size 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

And as they worked their way through his slump, the Lakers did the kind of things they’ll certainly need in bulk as they prepare for back-to-back games against the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.

From

Southern Lebanon is the heartland of Lebanon's Shia Muslim community, which is the bulk of Hezbollah's support base, and one of the regions of the country where the group has traditionally had a significant presence.

From

They bought new furniture for their Huntington Beach home and buy in bulk as much as possible to keep costs low.

From

There is also the issue of how tariffs work when they collide with pricing caps that both the NHS and other health organisations set for buying drugs in bulk.

From

The restorations of both “Will†and “Nightshift†fit nicely within the broader program of LAFM, providing historical context for the newer films that are the bulk of the festival.

From

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Related 51³Ô¹Ïs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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