[bulk] n [ME, heap, bulk, fr. ON bulki cargo] (15c) 1 a: spatial dimension: magnitude b: material that forms a mass in the intestine; esp: fiber 1d
2. a: body; esp: a large or corpulent human body b: an organized structure esp. when viewed primarily as a mass of material c: a ponderous shapeless mass
3: the main or greater part -- in bulk 1: not divided into parts or packaged in separate units
2: in large quantities syn bulk, mass, volume mean the aggregate that forms a body or unit. bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous "the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers". mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind "a mass of boulders". volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating "a tremendous volume of water".
[2]bulk vt (1540) 1: to cause to swell or bulge: stuff
2: to gather into a mass or aggregate ~ vi 1: swell, expand
2: to appear as a factor: loom "a consideration that ~s large in everyone's thinking" [3]bulk adj (1693) 1: being in bulk "~ cement"
2: of or relating to materials in bulk