GULF, n.

1. A recess in the ocean from the general line of the shore into the land, or a tract of water extending from the ocean or a sea into the land, between two points or promontories a large bay as the gulf of Mexico the gulf of Venice the gulf of Finland. A gulf and a bay differ only in extent. We apply bay to a large or small recess of the sea, as the bay of Biscay, the bay of Fundy but gulf is applied only to a large extent of water.
2. An abyss a deep place in the earth as the gulf of Avernus.
3. A whirlpool an absorbing eddy.
4. Any thing insatiable.