noun
paunch
PAWNCH/pɔːntʃ/
A belly, especially a large or protruding one.
The woman's paunch forms a rounded outline beneath her everyday clothes.
Etymology
Latin pantex named the belly or bowels. English paunch emphasizes a large belly; older expressions such as “ply the paunch,” meaning to indulge in gluttony, also connected it with overeating.
In context
with such remains as were left of the clerical spoils, and so he marched behind his master laden with what Dapple used to carry, emptying the sack and packing his paunch
More examples
- The tailor leaves extra room for his paunch.
- He rests a hand on his paunch after dinner.
- Their matching aprons barely cover their paunches.
Forms
paunch · paunches
paunchy adjective — Having a large or protruding belly.
Similar words
- belly
- Names the abdomen generally, without suggesting a large size.
- potbelly
- Specifically describes a rounded belly that sticks out noticeably.