bunt
UK[bʌnt]US[bʌnt]
v
(in baseball or softball) to bat the ball gently so that it rolls a short distance into the infield.
n
an act of bunting a ball.
n
the middle part of a square sail or a fish's belly.
Etymology
The word 'bunt' presents an intriguing etymological puzzle. Its earliest recorded use in the 19th century refers to the swollen or baggy center of a sail, a meaning which may derive from regional English dialect. The baseball sense, appearing later, is likely onomatopoeic in origin, imitating the soft, dull sound of a ball being tapped rather than struck fully. This connection between a gentle push and a bulging shape forms the conceptual core of the word. While its exact lineage is obscure, 'bunt' exemplifies how simple, sound-based or descriptive terms can enter specialized sporting and technical vocabularies.
Analysis
This word is a simplex. Its origin is uncertain but likely imitative or from a dialectal source. Its core functional role is to denote a gentle, pushing action or a bulging middle part.
Examples
The batter decided to bunt to advance the runner to second base.
His successful bunt caught the infield by surprise.
The strong wind filled the bunt of the sail.