bulk
bulk / bəlk/ • n. the mass or magnitude of something large: the sheer bulk of the bags. ∎ a large mass or shape, for example of a building or a heavy body: he moved quickly in spite of his bulk. ∎ [as adj.] large in quantity or amount: bulk orders of more than 100 copies. ∎ (the bulk) the majority or greater part of something: the bulk of the traffic had passed. ∎ roughage in food: bread and potatoes supply energy, essential protein, and bulk. ∎ cargo that is an unpackaged mass such as grain, oil, or milk.• v. 1. [intr.] be or seem to be of great size or importance: territorial questions bulked large in diplomatic relations.2. [tr.] treat (a product) so that its quantity appears greater than it in fact is: traders were bulking up their flour with chalk. ∎ [intr.] (bulk up) build up body mass, typically in training for athletic events.PHRASES: in bulk1. (esp. of goods) in large quantities, usually at a reduced price: buying tomatoes in bulk from a local farmer.2. (of a cargo or commodity) loose; not packaged: sugar is imported in bulk and bagged on the island.ORIGIN: Middle English: the senses ‘cargo as a whole’ and ‘heap, large quantity’ (the earliest recorded) are probably from Old Norse búlki ‘cargo’; the origin of other senses remains uncertain, perhaps arising by alteration of obsolete bouk ‘belly, body.’
bulk
A. cargo (in bulk, in large unbroken quantities) XIV; †heap XV;
B. †belly, trunk, body XIV; large body, huge frame XVI;
C. magnitude, volume, mass XV. In A — ON. (cf. OIcel. búlki cargo); in B perh. at first an alt. of †bouk, OE. būc belly = OS, būk, OHG. būh (G. bauch), ON. búkr :- Gmc. *búkaz; in C prob. transf. use of either A or B.
Hence bulk vb. (in several unconnected uses) XVI. bulky XV.