Bulk \Bulk\ (b[u^]lk), n. [OE. bulke, bolke, heap; cf. Dan. bulk lump, clod, OSw. bolk crowd, mass, Icel. b?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.

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.

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

The bulk of the people must labor, Burke told them, ``to obtain what by labor can be obtained.'' --J. Morley.

3. (Naut.) The cargo of a vessel when stowed.

4. The body. [Obs.]

--Shak.

My liver leaped within my bulk. --Turbervile.

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.

Syn: Size; magnitude; dimension; volume; bigness; largeness; massiveness.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)