bulk

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)Size, specifically, volume.

   “The Quantity of Matter is the measure of the same, arising from its density and bulk conjunctly.”

   ““ Didn't Balbus say this morning that, if a body is immersed in liquid, it displaces as much liquid as is equal to its own bulk? ” said Hugh.”

   “By this process the body of the oyster acquires such a plumpness and rotundity, and its bulk and weight are so increased, as to materially increase its selling value.”

   “The cliff-dwellers had chipped and chipped away at this boulder till it rested its tremendous bulk upon a mere pin-point of its surface.”

2. (countable, uncountable)Any huge body or structure.

   “The obese woman couldn't ease her bulk through the narrow passageway.”

3. (countable, uncountable)The major part of something.

   “In the case of such a contract, there must be an implied condition that the bulk shall correspond with the sample in quality”

   “There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs,[…], and all these articles[…] made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.”

   “the main bulk of a nut roast is generally some form of carbohydrate, intended to lighten the load.”

4. (countable, uncountable)The major part of something.

   “The bulk of my income comes from my office job, but I also teach a couple of evening classes.”

   “The bulk of the criticisms were invalid.”

5. (countable, uncountable)The major part of something.

   “I understood the bulk of what you were saying, just one of two points I need to hear again.”

6. (countable, uncountable)Dietary fibre.
7. (uncountable)Unpackaged goods when transported in large volumes, e.g. coal, ore, or grain.
8. (countable)A cargo or any items moved or communicated in the manner of cargo.
9. (countable, uncountable)Excess body mass, especially muscle.
10. (countable, uncountable)A period where one tries to gain muscle.
11. (countable, uncountable)A hypothetical higher-dimensional space within which our own four-dimensional universe may exist.
12. (countable, obsolete, uncountable)The body.

    “...haunted the chocolate-houses, beat the watch, lay on bulks, and got claps;”

    “Methought I had, and often did I strive To yield the ghost, but still the envious flood Stopped in my soul and would not let it forth To find the empty, vast, and wand'ring air, But smothered it within my panting bulk, Who almost burst to belch it in the sea.”

    “little Cupide stroue Within her bulke, because that she had woue The web that wrought Nastagio all his woe”

adj

1. (not-comparable)Being large in size, mass, or volume (of goods, etc.).
2. (not-comparable)Total.

   “Bulk fermentation”

verb

1. (intransitive)To appear or seem to be, as to bulk or extent.

   “The fame of Warburton possibly bulked larger for the moment.”

   “Last, behold on Juss’s right hand, yon lord that bulks mighty as Hercules yet steppeth lightly as a heifer.”

2. (intransitive)To grow in size; to swell or expand.
3. (intransitive)To gain body mass by means of diet, exercise, etc.
4. (transitive)To put or hold in bulk.
5. (obsolete, transitive)To add bulk to; to bulk out.

   “Some of the towne dwellers haue ſo large an opinion of their ſetled prouiſion, that if all her Maieſties fleet at once ſhould put into their bay, within twelue dayes warning with ſo much double beere, beefe, fiſh and bisket they would bulke them as they could wallow away with.”