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. See rumen
   another name for rumen
3. nautical a thick mat that prevents chafing

verb

1. to stab in the stomach; disembowel

Other Words From

• 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

Tall and stooped, with a slight paunch and ice blue eyes, he stood out as the only dissident organized and popular enough to pose even a distant threat to Putin’s rule.

From Time

Hart's the good ol' boy type: wife, kids, mistress, no-nonsense demeanor, the beginnings of a paunch.

From The Daily Beast

Prince Albert, Tony Soprano, and Bill Clinton were all known for theirs: the power paunch.

From The Daily Beast

Historical novelist Lucinda Brant pinpoints the 18th century as the golden age of the power paunch.

From The Daily Beast

Having yourself immortalized with a paunch indicated you were wealthy/held high office/were involved in derring-do.

From The Daily Beast

The true paunch is reserved for men of power at the height of their power.

From The Daily Beast

The large man puffs himself out in his warm topcoat, which protuberates sensibly at the paunch.

From Project Gutenberg

Through the garden with lowered eyes, past a dour-looking priest with a small paunch.

From Project Gutenberg

The dish suits it, for before long it has burrowed half-way into the succulent paunch.

From Project Gutenberg

A ten-year-old nephew rode behind him, with his short arms encircling his uncle's paunch.

From Project Gutenberg

Another, with ‘a fair round belly,’ no doubt, they dub Simon Paunch.

From Project Gutenberg