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burst
2 dictionary results for: bursting
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
burst       [burst] Pronunciation Key verb, burst or, often, burst·ed, burst·ing, noun
–verb (used without object)
1.to break, break open, or fly apart with sudden violence: The bitter cold caused the pipes to burst.
2.to issue forth suddenly and forcibly, as from confinement or through an obstacle: Oil burst to the surface. He burst through the doorway.
3.to give sudden expression to or as if to emotion: to burst into applause; to burst into tears.
4.to be extremely full, as if ready to break open: The house was bursting with people.
5.to appear suddenly; become visible, audible, evident, etc., all at once: The sun burst through the clouds.
–verb (used with object)
6.to cause to break or break open suddenly and violently: He burst the balloon.
7.to cause or suffer the rupture of: to burst a blood vessel.
8.to separate (the parts of a multipart stationery form consisting of interleaved paper and carbon paper).
–noun
9.an act or instance of bursting.
10.a sudden, intense display, as of activity, energy, or effort: The car passed us with a burst of speed.
11.a sudden expression or manifestation, as of emotion: a burst of affection.
12.a sudden and violent issuing forth: a burst of steam from the pipe.
13.Military.
a.the explosion of a projectile, esp. in a specified place: an air burst.
b.a rapid sequence of shots fired by one pull on the trigger of an automatic weapon: A burst from the machine gun shattered all the windows.
14.the result of bursting; breach; gap: a burst in the dike.
15.a sudden appearance or opening to view.
16.burst at the seams, to be filled to or beyond normal capacity: This room will be bursting at the seams when all the guests arrive.

[Origin: bef. 1000; ME bersten, bursten, OE berstan (past. pl. burston), c. OHG brestan (G bersten), ON bresta; akin to break]

1. crack, explode. 6. rend, tear. 10. spurt. 11, 12. outbreak.
See bust2.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
burst       (bûrst)  Pronunciation Key 
v.   burst, burst·ing, bursts

v.   intr.
    1. To come open or fly apart suddenly or violently, especially from internal pressure.
    2. To explode.
  1. To be or seem to be full to the point of breaking open: The sacks were bursting with grain.
  2. To emerge, come forth, or arrive suddenly: burst out of the door.
  3. To come apart or seem to come apart because of overwhelming emotion: thought his heart would burst with happiness.
  4. To give sudden utterance or expression: burst out laughing; burst into tears.

v.   tr.
  1. To cause to burst: burst the balloon. See Synonyms at break.
  2. To exert strong pressure in order to force (something) open.
  3. To separate (a continuous form or printout) into individual sheets.

n.  
  1. A sudden outbreak or outburst; an explosion.
  2. The result of bursting, especially the explosion of a projectile or bomb on impact or in the air.
    1. The number of bullets fired from an automatic weapon by one pull of the trigger.
    2. A volley of bullets fired from an automatic weapon: The machine gunner fired a quick burst.
  3. An abrupt, intense increase; a rush: a burst of speed; fitful bursts of wind.
  4. A period of intense activity: "I write in very short bursts—10 or 15 minutes" (Zoe Heller).


[Middle English bursten, from Old English berstan.]

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