%bulk%

n. [ OE. bulke, bolke, heap; cf. Dan. bulk lump, clod, OSw. bolk crowd, mass, Icel. b&unr_;lkast to be bulky. Cf. Boll, n., Bile a boil, Bulge, n. ] 1. Magnitude of material substance; dimensions; mass; size; as, an ox or ship of great bulk. [ 1913 Webster ]

Against these forces there were prepared near one hundred ships; not so great of bulk indeed, but of a more nimble motion, and more serviceable. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The main mass or body; the largest or principal portion; the majority; as, the bulk of a debt. [ 1913 Webster ]

The bulk of the people must labor, Burke told them, “to obtain what by labor can be obtained.” J. Morley. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Naut.) The cargo of a vessel when stowed. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The body. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

My liver leaped within my bulk. Turbervile. [ 1913 Webster ]

Barrel bulk. See under Barrel. --
To break bulk (Naut.), to begin to unload or more the cargo. --
In bulk, in a mass; loose; not inclosed in separate packages or divided into separate parts; in such shape that any desired quantity may be taken or sold. --
Laden in bulk,
Stowed in bulk, having the cargo loose in the hold or not inclosed in boxes, bales, or casks. --
Sale by bulk, a sale of goods as they are, without weight or measure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Size; magnitude; dimension; volume; bigness; largeness; massiveness. [ 1913 Webster ]