Buncombe, Bunkum

[From Buncombe, a county of North Carolina.] An American term applied to a speech delivered merely for the purpose of conciliating popular favor, or gaining public applause. The origin of the phrase "talking for Buncombe" is thus explained: "Several years ago, in Congre , the member from this district arose to addre the House, without any extraordinary powers, in manner or matter, to interest the audience. Many members left the hall. Very naïvely he told those who remained that they might go too; he should speak for some time, but he was only talking for Buncombe." - (Wheeler's History of N. C.) Buncra'na, a seaport and bathing resort of Ireland, co. Donegal, on Lough Swilly, 11 m. W.N.W. of London derry; pop. 1,097, Bundelcund, (boon-del- koond ' ,) a large division of Hindostan, prov. Allah a bad, between Lat 24° 3′ and 26° 26' N., and Lon. 70° 48' and 81° 33′ E.; having N. the Jumna; S. Berar and Malwah; E. Begilcund, and W. Scindia's dominions; area , 23,817 sq. m. This country is mountainous, and imperfectly cultivated; the mountains belong to the Vindhyan chain, and run in parallel ranges, each buttre ing a table-land, and forming a series of natural fortifications. The Cane, Desan, and Betwah are the only rivers of importance. The soil is of every variety, from rich black to sterile conkar, and a large extent of country is covered with jungle. Diamonds are found and extensively worked. At the fall of the Mogul empire, the Mahrattas, under Ali Bahawder, po e ed themselves of part of this prov. until 1817, when it was ceded to Great Britain. Pop . 2,400,000. Bundle, ( bund'l ,) n. [A. S. byndel ; Du. bundel ; O. Ger. bendil ; from the root of bind . ] A number of things bound or put together; a package or parcel made up loosely; a roll; as, a bundle of straw. "She carried a great bundle of Flanders lace under her arm." Spectator. IMG:content-0806.png:[blocks in formation] "Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander, till he find it stopping a bung -hole?" - Shales. Bungle, ( bung'gl ,) v. i. [W. bwn y gler , the lowest cla of minstrels; probably allied to jongleur .] To perform in a clumsy, awkward manner. -v.a. To make or mend clumsily; to botch; to manage awkwardly; as, repaired in a bungled manner. "Other devils... do botch and bungle up damnation,... From glittering semblances of piety." - Shaks. -n. A botch; an inaccuracy; a gro blunder; a clumsy performance; as, he has made a bungle of it. Bun'gler, n. A clumsy, awkward, inexpert workman; one who performs without skill. "Hard features every bungler can command, To draw true beauty shows a master's hand." - Dryden. Bung'ling, a. Clumsy; unskilful; awkward; as, a bungling operator. -Awkwardly done; inexpertly performed. "When men want light, They make but bungling work." - Dryden. Bunglingly, adv . Unskilfully; clumsily; awkwardly. Bun'go, n. ( Naut .) A kind of boat or canoe, used in the Southern States, and in Central America. Bunias, n . ( Bot .) A genus of European plants, order Bra icaceӕ. Bunion, ( bun'yun .) [Gr. bounos , an eminence.] ( Med . ) An inflamed and painful swelling of the bursa mucosa , or sac containing the oil of the joint; chiefly situated on the inside of the great toe. This disease, if not reme died in time, is certain to lead to a permanent enlarge ment and disfigurement of the toe. The exciting cause is generally a long-continued pre ure from a tight boot or shoe. The treatment should commence with a warm bran poultice, continued for one or two hours, so as to soften the cuticle of the part; a piece of lint, wetted in the extract of lead, is then to be applied cold, round the toe, and the lint moistened from time to time with more of the extract. In a few hours all inflammation will have subsided, and if care be taken not to repeat the pre ure, but use a large boot, the bunion will be cured. If it be preferred, a couple of leeches may be applied, and, after the bleeding, a lotion. But in most cases, the above treatment repeated will effect a cure. Bunk, n . [Swed. bunke , a coop, a tub.] A wooden receptacle in the form of a box, which serves for a seat by day, and for a bed at night. (U.S.) ( Naut .) A sleeping-berth on board ship. Bunk, v . i . To retire to rest in a bunk. (U. S.) Bunka'ra, or BLUE RIVER, in the State of Colorado, river which, rising in the Rocky Mountains, takes a S.W. course, unites with the Gunnison River in Lake co., and forms Grand River. "As if a man in making posies, Should bundle thistles up with roses." Swift . To bundle off . To cause to depart in a hurry; as, he was bundled off about his busine . -v.i. To make preparations for departure; to leave in a hurry. -To sleep together on a bed while fully dre ed; spoken of a man and woman who are courting. Bun'dle-pillar, n . ( Arch .) A column or pier, with others of small dimensions attached to it. Bun'dling, n. The act of one that bundles. Bundo'ran, a watering-place of Ireland, co. Donegal, on the bay of the latter name, 5 m. S.W. of Ballyshan non.