Bulle

See also: bulle and bullé

German

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbʊlə/

Etymology 1

Via German Low German from Middle Low German bulle. Cognate with Dutch bul. More at bull.

Noun

Bulle m (genitive Bullen, plural Bullen)

1. bull (male cattle)
2. (figurative) bull (strong or stout man)

Usage notes

• Though generally interchangeable with Stier, only Bulle is commonly used in agricultural contexts in northern and central Germany. The word is less frequent in the South.

Synonyms

• Stier

Derived terms

• bullig

Etymology 2

Documented since the 19th century. Probably from Polizist (or an abbreviation thereof), whose first syllable may in some dialects have become homophonous to Bulle (“bull”). — Another possibility is a derivation from Puller or Landpuller, a non-derogatory term for a policeman of the 18th century.

Noun

Bulle m (genitive Bullen, plural Bullen)

1. (mildly derogatory) police officer, cop, pig

Usage notes

• The word is only mildly pejorative in colloquial speech, it is nevertheless punishable in Germany to use it in the presence of a police officer on duty.

Derived terms

• Bullenschwein
• Bullette (female form; humorous)
• Bullerei

Etymology 3

From Middle High German bulle, from Medieval Latin bulla (“seal capsule”, literally “ball, bullet”).

Noun

Bulle f (genitive Bulle, plural Bullen)

1. Bull (papal decree).

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Saterland Frisian

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old Frisian *bula, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Proto-Germanic *bulô. More at bull.

Noun

Bulle m

1. (zoology) bull; steer