English edit

Etymology edit

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

Pronunciation edit

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