paunch

views updated May 29 2018

paunch / pônch; pänch/ • n. 1. a large or protruding abdomen or stomach.2. archaic Naut. a thick strong mat used to give protection from chafing on a mast or other spar.DERIVATIVES: paunch·i·ness / ˈpônchēnis/ n.paunch·y adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

paunch

views updated May 11 2018

paunch1 belly, stomach. XIV. — AN. pa(u)nche, ONF. panche, var. of OF. pance (mod. panse):- Rom. *pantice, L. pantex, -tic- (esp. pl.) bowels, intestines.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

paunch

views updated Jun 27 2018

paunch2 (naut.) thick mat or wooden shield to prevent chafing. XVII. prob. identical with prec. through the use of OF. pance (whence Eng. †paunce) for belly armour.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD