Main Entry: ¹hulk

Pronunciation: \ˈhəlk\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English hulke, from Old English hulc, probably from Medieval Latin holcas, from Greek holkas, from helkein to pull — more at sulcus

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a heavy clumsy ship b (1) : the body of an old ship unfit for service (2) : a ship used as a prison —usually used in plural <every prisoner sent to the hulks — Kenneth Roberts> c : an abandoned wreck or shell (as of a building or automobile)
2 : one that is bulky or unwieldy