paunch

[pawnch, pahnch]

noun

1. a large and protruding belly; potbelly.

2. the belly or abdomen.

3. the rumen.

paunch

/ pɔːntʃ /

noun

1. the belly or abdomen, esp when protruding

2. another name for rumen

3. nautical a thick mat that prevents chafing

verb

1. to stab in the stomach; disembowel

Other Word Forms

• paunched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paunch¹

1325–75; Middle English paunche < Anglo-French, for Middle French pance < Latin panticēs (plural) bowels

Word History and Origins

Origin of paunch¹

C14: from Anglo-Norman paunche, from Old French pance, from Latin panticēs (pl) bowels

Example Sentences

Taking his top off and proudly parading his paunch is a regular occurrence in Fury’s news conferences.

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It’s his first year in the red suit, and this 40-year-old rookie Santa lacks the paunch and natural white beard of older, more experienced Kris Kringles.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Charlotte insists there's a paunch, but nobody else sees it.

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The extra paunch would also have helped these penguins stay warm in the water.

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“He’s moving,” David tells Maggie, handling his middle-aged paunch like a baby bump.

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