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bulk¹ Definition

bulk (bulk)

noun

  1. size, mass, or volume, esp. if great
  2. the main mass or body of something; largest part or portion the bulk of one's fortune
  3. soft, bulky matter of a kind that passes through the intestines without being absorbed and aids in elimination

Etymology: ME, heap, cargo < ON bulki, a heap, ship's cargo; prob. < IE base *bhel-: see ball

intransitive verb

  1. to form into a mass
  2. to increase in size, importance, etc.
  3. to have size or importance to bulk large in the mind

transitive verb

  1. to make (something) form into a mass
  2. to make bulge; stuff
  3. to give greater bulk, or size, to

adjective

  1. total; aggregate
  2. not put up in individual packages

bulk¹ Idioms

in bulk

  1. not put up in individual packages
  2. in large amounts; in great volume
bulk² Definition

bulk (bulk)

noun

Archaic a projecting framework or stall built as the front of a shop

Etymology: ME balk < ON balkr, partition, wall; akin to balk

bulk Synonyms

bulk

n.

  1. Size

    magnitude, mass, extent, size, volume, amount, quantity, weight, heft, largeness, thickness, substance, body; see also quantity, size 2.

  2. Major portion

    greater part, better part, main part, principal part, major part, best part, predominant part, most, majority, plurality, biggest share, greater number, nearly all, almost all, body, more than half, best, gross, staple, preponderance, lion's share.

    Antonyms bit*, remnant, fraction, minority.

bulk, mass, and volume all refer to a quantity of matter or collection of units forming a body or whole, bulk implying a body of great size, weight, or numbers the lumbering bulk of a hippopotamus, the bulk of humanity, mass, an aggregate, multitude, or expanse forming a cohesive, unified, or solid body an egg-shaped mass, a mass of color, the mass of workers, and volume, a moving or flowing mass, often of a fluctuating nature volumes of smoke, the volume of production

bulk Usage Examples

Object

  • agent: Methylcellulose is a type of medicine called a bulking agent.

Converse of object

  • constitute: The net effect would be a reduction in choice for the customer for narrowband services, which constitute the bulk of the market.
  • comprise: The assets of these organizations comprise the bulk of the Federal Government's telecommunications resources.
  • compose: Mafic inclusions form a minor but ubiquitous part of the andesitic lavas that compose the bulk of the dome material.
  • spend: No-one physically forced you to spend the bulk of your precious time in Andizhan on your ass.

Adjective modifier

  • vast: Not in the Communist Party of Great Britain any more, but across the vast bulk of the left.
  • sheer: It is so long in design because of the sheer bulk of the project.
  • added: It's designed to provide maximum protection without added bulk and to enhance the look of the iPod.
  • massive: Society's massive bulk will undoubtedly be shocked - short, sharp surges will pierce the delicate skin of the moral majority.
  • relative: The names are believed to refer to the relative bulk of the two summits rather than their respective elevations.

Modifies a noun

  • modulus: A table also compares their density, thermal conductivity, thermal capacity, bulk modulus, toxicity, effect on environment, and biodegradability.
  • carrier: At 1850 GMT, four robbers armed with crowbars boarded a bulk carrier, gaining access via the forward mooring ropes.
  • buying: For example, costs per unit output are likely to decrease if lower prices of inputs are possible through bulk buying.
  • tank: Bulk Benefits Having your very own bulk tank installed on site can provide greater benefits.
  • cargo: Bulk cargoes of powders, timber, steel rolls, steel sheets, gas piping, wire coils and grain are all imported.
  • mailer: Only legitimate bulk mailers, who have met strict licensing conditions, are allowed to use the poetic marker.

Noun used with modifier

  • muscle: Many athletes who want to remain legal and yet gain muscle bulk and energy, use creatine instead of steroids.

Preposition: of

  • wager: Bulk of the wagers win a couple budding card sharks.
  • population: Just like the bulk of the population - living beyond his means.
  • revenue: Traditionally the original author receives over 50 % of the list price of the software as well as the bulk of the support revenue.
bulk Quotes

When you meet Mr. Smith first you think he looks like an over-dressed pirate. Then you begin to think him a character.You wonder at his enormous bulk. Then the utter hopelessness of knowing what Smith is thinking by merely looking at his features gets on your mind and makes the Mona Lisa seem an open book and the ordinary human countenance as superficial as a puddle in the sunlight.

—Leacock, Stephen Butler

Browse dictionary entries near bulk

  1. ‹ bulimia
  2. ‹ bulimarexia
  3. ‹ bulgy
  4. ‹ bulgur (wheat)
  5. ‹ bulgur
  6. ‹ bulge bracket
  7. ‹ bulge
  8. ‹ Bulgarian
  9. ‹ Bulgaria
  10. ‹ Bulgar
  1. bulk sale ›
  2. bulk transfer ›
  3. bulkhead ›
  4. bulky ›
  5. bull ›
  6. bull-baiting ›
  7. bull fiddle ›
  8. bull market ›
  9. bull mastiff ›
  10. Bull Moose ›