/ bʌlk; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ sing. ] the ~ (of sth) the main part of sth; most of sth :
The bulk of the population lives in cities.
2.
[ U ] the (large) size or quantity of sth :
Despite its bulk and weight, the car is extremely fast.
a bulk order (= one for a large number of similar items)
bulk buying (= buying in large amounts, often at a reduced price)
It's cheaper to buy in bulk .
3.
[ sing. ] the weight or shape of sb/sth large :
She heaved her bulk out of the chair.
■ verb
[ v ]
•
IDIOMS
- bulk large
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- bulk sth out / up
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : the senses cargo as a whole and heap, large quantity (the earliest recorded) are probably from Old Norse búlki cargo; other senses arose perhaps by alteration of obsolete bouk belly, body .