gulf

== English == === Alternative forms === gulph (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English gulf, goulf, golf, from Old French golf, from Italian golfo, from Late Latin colfos, from Ancient Greek κόλπος (kólpos, “bosom, gulf”), of obscure origin, but possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kʷelp- (“to curve, arch”). === Pronunciation === enPR: gŭlf, IPA(key): /ɡʌlf/ (gulf-golf merger) IPA(key): /ɡɒlf/ Homophone: golf (gulf-golf merger) Rhymes: -ʌlf, -ɒlf Hyphenation: gulf === Noun === gulf (plural gulfs) A hollow place in the earth; an abyss; a deep chasm or basin. (obsolete) That which swallows; the gullet. That which swallows irretrievably; a whirlpool; a sucking eddy. (geography) A portion of an ocean or sea extending into the land; a partially landlocked sea (mining) A large deposit of ore in a lode. (figurative) A wide interval or gap; a separating space. (figurative) A difference, especially a large difference, between groups. (Oxbridge slang) The bottom part of a list of those awarded a degree, for those who have only just passed. ==== Synonyms ==== (difference): abyss, rift ==== Hyponyms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Descendants ==== → Welsh: gwlff ==== Translations ==== === Verb === gulf (third-person singular simple present gulfs, present participle gulfing, simple past and past participle gulfed) (transitive) To engulf. (Oxbridge slang, transitive) To award a degree to somebody who has only just passed sufficiently. === Further reading === gulf on Wikipedia.Wikipedia