Word Direct Answers

What does "explode" mean?

Explode: To burst with force and a loud report; to detonate, as a shell filled with powder or the like material, or as a boiler from too great pressure of steam.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To burst forth with sudden violence and noise; as, at this, his wrath exploded.
  2. 3.To drive from the stage by noisy expressions of disapprobation; to hoot off; to drive away or reject noisily; as, to explode a play. [Obs.] Him old and young Exploded, and seized with violent hands. Milton.
  3. 4.To bring into disrepute, and reject; to drive from notice and acceptance; as, to explode a scheme, fashion, or doctrine. Old exploded contrivances of mercantile fraud. Burke. To explode and exterminate dark atheism. Bently.
  4. 5.To cause to explode or burst noisily; to detonate; as, to explode powder by touching it with fire.
  5. 6.To drive out with violence and noise, as by powder. But late the kindled powder did explode The massy ball and the brass tube unload. Blackmore.

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