bunch / bənch/ • n. a number of things, typically of the same kind, growing or fastened together: a bunch of grapes. ∎  [in sing.] inf. a group of people. ∎ inf. a large number or quantity; a lot: I had to turn down a bunch of well-paid jobs.• v. [tr.] collect or fasten into a compact group: she bunched the carnations together. ∎  gather (cloth) into close folds. ∎  [intr.] form into a tight group or crowd: he halted, forcing the rest of the field to bunch up behind him.DERIVATIVES: bunch·y adj.

Bunch

a cluster or tuft, properly of things of one type growing or fastened together; a group of things or animals of the same type gathered close together. See also bundle, nosegay.

Examples: bunch of bananas; of cards, 1563; of cattle, 1884; of charity, 1633; of cherubs, 1832; of ducks [up to 130 in a group], 1835; of fives [‘a clenched fist’]; of flowers, 1570; of grapes, 1842; of hair, 1590; of imbecility, 1874; of judges, 1622; of keys, 1587; of kings, 1622; of linen yarn [60 hanks]; of copper or tin ore, 1815; of machinery, 1984; of patriarchs, 1622; of prophets, 1622; of raisins, 1719; of reeds, 1863; of slate, 1865; of straw, 1450; of teal [small group on the water]; of teazles, 1863; of tunes; of vapours, 1873; of violets, 1821; of waterfowl; of widgeon.

bunch †hump, swelling XIV; †bundle XIV; collection of similar things XVI. of unkn. orig.

BUNCH (bʌntʃ) Burroughs, Univac, NCR, Control Data, Honeywell (computer manufacturers)