The Collaborative International Dictionary
Lump \Lump\ (l[u^]mp), n. [Cf. OD. lompe piece, mass. Cf. Lunch.]
A small mass of matter of irregular shape; an irregular or shapeless mass; as, a lump of coal; a lump of iron ore. `` A lump of cheese.''
--Piers Plowman. `` This lump of clay.''
--Shak.A mass or aggregation of things.
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(Firearms) A projection beneath the breech end of a gun barrel. In the lump, In a lump, the whole together; in gross. They may buy them in the lump. --Addison. Lump coal, coal in large lumps; -- the largest size brought from the mine. Lump sum,
a gross sum without a specification of items; as, to award a lump sum in satisfaction of all claims and damages.
a single sum paid once in satisfaction of a claim, as contrasted with the alternate choice of several payments over a period of time; -- sometimes allowed, e.g., as an alternative to periodical pension payments for a lifetime.
Usage examples of "in a lump".
Perhaps one of those 140-kilogram animals, with 10-centimeter fangs, huge claws, and a tail that ended in a lump of bone as solid as any crafted cudgel, would provide him good sport this night.
Adding the aftermath, sending it along the leash in a lump, made Moghedien's eyes pop.
Early in the meeting he asked the Moderator to have the Town Scribe write down each question so that he could answer them in a lump-and was allowed to have it his way by being balky.
Early in the meeting he asked the Moderator to have the Town Scribe write down each question so that he could answer them in a lump—.
Every atom in me has a long history during which it may have been part of many living things, including human beings, and during which it may also have spent long periods as part of the sea, or in a lump of coal, or in a rock, or as a portion of the wind blowing upon us.