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. (figuratively) 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.
Declension
Declension of Bulle
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Bulle die Bullen
genitive eines des Bullen der Bullen
dative einem dem Bullen den Bullen
accusative einen den Bullen die Bullen
Synonyms
Derived terms

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.
Declension
Declension of Bulle
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Bulle die Bullen
genitive eines des Bullen der Bullen
dative einem dem Bullen den Bullen
accusative einen den Bullen die Bullen
Derived terms

Etymology 3

From Latin bulla "seal capsule", originally meaning "ball, bullet".

Noun

Bulle f (genitive Bulle, plural Bullen)

  1. Bull (papal decree).
Declension
Declension of Bulle
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative eine die Bulle die Bullen
genitive einer der Bulle der Bullen
dative einer der Bulle den Bullen
accusative eine die Bulle die Bullen

Saterland Frisian

Etymology

From Old Frisian *bula, from Proto-Germanic *bulô. More at bull.

Noun

Bulle m

  1. (zoology) bull; steer
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