bull
UK[bʊl]US[bʊl]
n
An adult male animal of the cattle family.
n
A person who buys shares hoping to sell them later at a higher price.
v
To push or move forcefully or violently.
Etymology
The word 'bull' has a straightforward lineage from Old English, where it specifically denoted the male of domestic cattle. It is a classic example of a Germanic root word that has remained phonetically and semantically stable for over a millennium. While its ultimate pre-Germanic origin is obscure, some etymologists suggest it may be connected to a root imitating the bellowing sound characteristic of the animal. This core meaning of a powerful, male bovine was later extended metaphorically in finance to describe an optimistic investor who drives prices up, and as a verb for forceful action, both drawing on the animal's archetypal strength and aggression.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Germanic origin. The Old English form 'bula' meant "bull, male bovine," and is related to Old Norse 'boli'. Its ultimate origin is uncertain but likely imitative of a deep sound or roar.
Examples
The farmer separated the bull from the rest of the herd.
Market bulls are confident that the economy will recover quickly.
He bulled his way through the crowded room to reach the exit.