Definition

1. Noun:

   • A plant disease: A fungus that destroys wheat kernels by replacing them with greasy, foul-smelling masses of spores.
   • A baseball maneuver: In baseball, the act of hitting the ball lightly without taking a full swing, intentionally tapping it a short distance into the infield.

2. Verb:

   • To push or strike with the head or horns: To make contact with something by thrusting the head forward, as an animal does.
   • To execute a bunt in baseball: To hit a baseball lightly without swinging the bat, causing it to go only a short distance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The farmer's wheat crop was ruined by bunt. (The farmer's wheat crop was destroyed by the fungal disease.)
  • The player's perfect bunt allowed the runner to advance to third base. (The player's skillful tap of the ball allowed the runner to move to third base.)

• Verb:

  • The goat will bunt anyone who gets too close. (The goat will push with its head anyone who gets too close.)
  • The coach signaled for the batter to bunt. (The coach gave a sign for the batter to tap the ball lightly.)

Advanced Usage

• "to bunt one's way on": In baseball, to reach base safely by executing a bunt.
  • With his speed, he can often bunt his way on. (Because he is fast, he can often reach base by bunting.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bunter (n): In baseball, a player who is skilled at or known for bunting.
  • He is an excellent bunter and a valuable team player.

Synonyms

• Noun (disease): Stinking smut, covered smut.
• Verb (to push): Butt, ram, shove.
• Verb (baseball): Tap, push.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms specifically featuring the word "bunt".)

Noun

1. fungus that destroys kernels of wheat by replacing them with greasy masses of smelly spores
2. similar to Tilletia caries
3. disease of wheat characterized by replacement of the grains with greasy masses of smelly smut spores
4. (baseball) the act of hitting a baseball lightly without swinging the bat

Verb

1. to strike, thrust or shove against
   • He butted his sister out of the way
   • The goat butted the hiker with his horns
2. hit a ball in such a way so as to make it go a short distance