Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1825, 1884-1923
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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:
To bunch about, to go about in a hobbling sort of way; a term applied to one of a squat or corpulent form.1923 Watson W.-B., obs.
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"Bunch n.1, v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bunch_n1_v>
