- Lump sum
- Lump Lump (l[u^]mp), n. [Cf. OD. lompe piece, mass. Cf.
{Lunch}.]
1. 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. A mass or aggregation of things. [1913 Webster]
3. (Firearms) A projection beneath the breech end of a gun barrel. [1913 Webster]
{In the lump},
{In a lump}, the whole together; in gross. [1913 Webster]
They may buy them in the lump. --Addison.
{Lump coal}, coal in large lumps; -- the largest size brought from the mine.
{Lump sum}, (a) a gross sum without a specification of items; as, to award a lump sum in satisfaction of all claims and damages. (b) 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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.