n. A large tract of water extending from the ocean or a sea into the land, following an indentation of the coastline: as, the Gulf of Mexico; the Gulf of Venice.n. An abyss; a chasm; a deep place in the earth: as, the gulf of Avernus.n. Something that engulfs or swallows, as the gullet, or a whirlpool; figuratively, misfortune.n. A wide interval, as in station, education, and the like: as, the gulf that separates the higher and lower classes.n. In Cambridge University, England, the place at the bottom of the list of passes where the names of those who have barely escaped being plucked in examination are written. These names are separated by a line from those of the students who have passed creditably.n. In mining, a large deposit of ore in a lode.To swallow; engulf; cast down, as into a gulf.In the University of Cambridge, to place in the gulf, or among those students who have barely escaped being plucked in their final examination.To flow like the waters of a gulf.