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irrupt

 - 2 dictionary results

ir⋅rupt

  [i-ruhpt]
Use irrupt in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to break or burst in suddenly.
2. to manifest violent activity or emotion, as a group of persons.
3. (of animals) to increase suddenly in numbers through a lessening of the number of deaths.
Origin:
1850–55; < L irruptus; see irruption
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To irrupt
ir·rupt   (ĭ-rŭpt')   
intr.v.   ir·rupt·ed, ir·rupt·ing, ir·rupts

  1. To break or burst in.

  2. Ecology To increase rapidly and irregularly in number: In the absence of predators, the island's rodent population irrupted.


[Latin irrumpere, irrupt- : in-, in; see in-2 + rumpere, to break; see reup- in Indo-European roots.]
ir·rup'tion n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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