I. ˈbəlk also ˈbu̇lk noun
Etymology: Middle English, heap, bulk, from Old Norse bulki cargo
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : spatial dimension : magnitude
b. : material that forms a mass in the intestine ; especially : fiber 1d
2.
a. : body ; especially : a large or corpulent human body
b. : an organized structure especially when viewed primarily as a mass of material
c. : a ponderous shapeless mass
3. : the main or greater part
•
- in bulk
Synonyms:
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
II. verb
Date: 1540
transitive verb
1. : to cause to swell or bulge : stuff
2. : to gather into a mass or aggregate
intransitive verb
1. : swell , expand
2. : to appear as a factor : loom
a consideration that bulk s large in everyone's thinking
III. adjective
Date: 1693
1. : being in bulk
bulk cement
2. : of or relating to materials in bulk