Search the Dictionary

A sharp burst of thunder; a sudden report of a discharge of atmospheric electricity. "Thunderclaps that make them quake." Spenser. When suddenly the thunderclap was heard. Dryden.

To burst or break in pieces. [Obs.] Chaucer.

A shell longer than a deck-piercing shell, with thinner walls and a larger cavity for the bursting charge, which consists of about 130 pounds of high explosive. It has no soft cap, and is intended to effect its damage by the powerful explosion which follows on slight resistance. It is used chiefly in 12-inch mortars.…

A breaking upward or bursting forth; an upburst. Mrs. Browning.

Act of rushing upward; an upbreak or upburst; as, an uprush of lava. R. A. Proctor.

One of the pieces into which a capsule naturally separates when it bursts.

A wind associated with a volcanic outburst and due to the eruption or to convection currents over hot lava.

A burst or emission of many things at once; as, a volley of words. "This volley of oaths." B. Jonson. Rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks. Pope.

Discharged with a sudden burst, or as if in a volley; as, volleyed thunder.

A saclike envelope of certain fungi, which bursts open as the plant develops.

to shed drop by drop, as if tears; as, to weep tears of joy. Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth. Milton. Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm. Milton.

ng noise; to fly or more quickly with a buzzing or whizzing sound; to whiz. The partridge bursts away on whirring wings. Beattie.

The offspring of animals, either a single animal or offspring collectively. [The egg] bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed Their callow young. Milton. With young, with child; pregnant.