n.
- the mass or magnitude of something large.
▸a large mass or shape.
▸
[
as modifier]
large in quantity:
a bulk supplier.
- the greater part:
the bulk of the traffic had passed.
- roughage in food.
- cargo in an unpackaged mass.
v.
- treat (a product) so that its quantity appears greater than it is.
- combine (shares or commodities for sale).
Phrase
- bulk large
be of great size or importance. - in bulk
- (of goods) in large quantities.
- (of a cargo or commodity) not packaged.
Etymology
ME: prob. from ON búlki ‘cargo’; perh. also by alt. of obs. bouk ‘belly, body’.