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   bulge

   /bʌldʒ/

   noun

   • 1. a rounded swelling which distorts an otherwise flat surface: "the telltale bulge of a concealed weapon" Similar swellingbumplumpprotuberanceprotrusionprominenceprojectioneruptionconvexityrare:intumescence
   • ▪ a piece of land which projects outwards from an otherwise regular line: "the advance created an eastward-facing bulge in the line"
   • 2. an unusual temporary increase in number or size: informal "a bulge in the birth rate" Similar surgeupsurgeriseincreaseescalationjumpleapboostintensificationaugmentationOpposite decrease

   verb

   • 1. swell or protrude to an incongruous extent: "the veins in his neck bulged"
   • ▪ be full of and distended with: "a briefcase bulging with documents"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French boulge, from Latin bulga (see budget). The original meaning was ‘wallet or bag’, later ‘a ship's bilge’ (early 17th century); other senses presumably derived from association with the shape of a full bag.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • B

     3

   • U

     1

   • L

     1

   • G

     2

   • E

     1

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