Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BUNCH, Bunse, n.¹, v. [bʌnʃ Rxb., n.Ir., but Ayr. and Gall. + bʌns]

1. n.

(1) “Applied to a girl or young woman who is squat and corpulent” (Ayr., Gall. 1887 Jam.⁶, bunse, bunch); “a short thick little girl” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 102); “a rather stout, tidy little woman” (Uls. 1924 North. Whig (12 Jan.)). Known to Lnk.³ 1937.

(2) A stout, sturdy calf.n.Ir. 1884 Cruck-a-Leaghan and Slieve Gallion Lays and Leg. of n. Ir. 78:
He stud higher, at laste be a half, Than the sturdiest bunch av a Michaelmas calf.

2. v. (See quot.)Rxb. 1825 Jam.²; 1923 Watson W.-B., obs.:
To bunch about, to go about in a hobbling sort of way; a term applied to one of a squat or corpulent form.