English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English paunche, from Old Northern French panche, Old French pance (French panse), from Latin pantex.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /pɔːnt͡ʃ/
  • (file)
  • (some accents) IPA(key): /pɑːntʃ/
  • Rhymes: -ɔːntʃ, -ɑːntʃ

Noun edit

paunch (plural paunches)

  1. The first compartment of the stomach of a ruminant, the rumen.
  2. The contents of this stomach in a slaughtered animal, viewed as food or a byproduct.
  3. The belly of a human, especially a large, fat protruding one.
    Since retiring from athletics, he has developed a paunch.
  4. (nautical) A paunch mat.
  5. The thickened rim of a bell, struck by the clapper.

Synonyms edit

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Verb edit

paunch (third-person singular simple present paunches, present participle paunching, simple past and past participle paunched)

  1. To remove the internal organs of a ruminant, prior to eating.
    • 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
      (Caliban)
      Why, as I told thee, 'tis a custom with him
      I' th' afternoon to sleep: there thou may'st brain him,
      Having first seiz'd his books; or with a log
      Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake,
      Or cut his wezand with thy knife

Translations edit

Middle English edit

Noun edit

paunch

  1. Alternative form of paunche