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pulp
/pʌlp/
The word evokes a visceral sense of disintegration. It describes the state where an object loses its structural integrity and becomes a semi-liquid, mushy substance. There is often a connotation of violence or industrial processing when used as a verb (e.g., crushing something into pulp). In a botanical context, it refers to the fleshy, nutrient-rich part of a fruit. This usage is neutral but focuses on texture—specifically the contrast between liquid juice and solid fiber. When applied to literature ("pulp fiction"), the term shifts from physical texture to perceived quality. It suggests something disposable, sensationalist, and cheaply produced, referencing the low-grade wood pulp paper used in mid-20th century magazines.
💬Casual Conversation
this orange juice has way too much pulp. i'm actually losing it.
damn that's crazy
Meanings
The soft central part of a plant stem or the fleshy part of a fruit.
"The orange juice contained bits of pulp."
Low-quality commercial fiction, typically written quickly and printed on cheap paper.
"He spent his weekends reading old detective pulp magazines."
To crush or grind something into a soft, shapeless mass.
"The machine pulps the recycled paper to make new sheets."
To become crushed or reduced to a pulp.
"Under the weight of the fallen tree, the berries simply pulped."
Examples
Ugh, I hate it when there is pulp in my juice!
Just pulp the tomatoes and strain them, okay?
Look at this old pulp novel I found today!
Stop! You're going to pulp those berries if you press harder.
The fruit was crushed into a thick, sticky pulp.
I can't believe you're still reading those trashy pulp stories!
The machine efficiently pulps the waste paper for recycling.
My finger is throbbing; I think I bruised the pulp.