n. & v.
n. 1 a stretch of sea consisting of a deep inlet with a narrow mouth. 2 (the Gulf) the Persian Gulf. 3 a deep hollow; a chasm or abyss. 4 a wide difference of feelings, opinion, etc.
v.tr. engulf; swallow up. Gulf Stream an oceanic warm current flowing from the Gulf of Mexico to Newfoundland where it is deflected into the Atlantic Ocean.
[ ME f. OF golfe f. It. golfo ult. f. Gk kolpos bosom, gulf ]