bulk
UK[bʌlk]US[bʌlk]
n
The large size or mass of something or someone.
n
The main or largest part of something.
n
Large size or quantity, especially when compared to other things.
v
To appear large or important.
v
To make something appear larger or thicker.
Etymology
The word 'bulk' entered Middle English from Old Norse 'bulki', which meant 'cargo' or 'heap'. This Norse term is likely related to words for a bag or belly, suggesting a sense of something swollen or packed. Over time, the meaning evolved from a concrete heap of cargo to the more abstract concept of large mass or volume. The modern senses relating to size, importance, and the main portion of something all flow logically from this core idea of substantial, often cumbersome, mass.
Analysis
The word 'bulk' is a simplex word of Scandinavian origin. It does not contain separable morphemes in its modern English form.
Examples
The sheer bulk of the elephant was astonishing.
The bulk of the work was completed by a small team.
Adding a lining will bulk out the jacket nicely.