Related Searches
Nearby Words
Synonyms

outbreak

 [out-breyk]   Origin

out·break

   [out-breyk]
noun
1.
a sudden breaking out or occurrence; eruption: the outbreak of war.
2.
a sudden and active manifestation: an outbreak of hives.
3.
an outburst: an outbreak of temper.
4.
an insurrection, revolt, or mutiny.
5.
a public disturbance; riot.
Origin:
1595–1605; out- + break
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To outbreak

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Outbreak is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
outbreak (ˈaʊtˌbreɪk)
 
—n
a sudden, violent, or spontaneous occurrence, esp of disease or strife

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

outbreak
"eruption" (of disease, hostilities, etc.), c.1600, from out + break (v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriThesaurus
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT
How many words do you know? FIND OUT