Paunched

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exhibiting a noticeable bulge in the abdominal area due to excess fat or other factors
2. Displaying a rounded and prominent belly often caused by excess body weight or bloating
3. Characterized by a noticeable swelling or extension in the stomach area, giving a bulgy appearance

Etymology: "Paunched" is simply "paunch" with the adjectival ending "-ed" attached, so it describes someone who has a paunch, that is, a prominent belly. The base noun "paunch" is the older and more interesting half. It came into English from Middle English "paunche," which ultimately traces back to Old French "panche," meaning belly or stomach, and that in turn comes from Latin "pantex," a word for the intestines or the belly. The "-ed" ending works the same way it does in words like "bearded" or "cloaked": it turns a noun into a description of something that has that thing. A paunched figure is one who has, in effect, acquired a paunch, which is why the word tends to describe a body that has grown rounder over time rather than one that was built that way.

Synonyms: potbellied, bulging

Antonyms: slim, lean