BURST • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Burst

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/bərst/ Listen

verb

Burst v. t. (past & past part. burst; pres. part. bursting; the past participle bursten is obsolete)

To break or rend by violence, as by an overcharge or by strain or pressure, esp. from within; to force open suddenly; as, to burst a cannon; to burst a blood vessel; to burst open the doors. "My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage."

To break. (Obs.) "You will not pay for the glasses you have burst?" "He burst his lance against the sand below."

To produce as an effect of bursting; as, to burst a hole through the wall.

Bursting charge. See under Charge.

Burst v. i. (past & past part. burst; pres. part. bursting; the past participle bursten is obsolete)

To fly apart or in pieces; of break open; to yield to force or pressure, especially to a sudden and violent exertion of force, or to pressure from within; to explode; as, the boiler had burst; the buds will burst in spring. "From the egg that soon Bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed Their callow young." Note: Often used figuratively, as of the heart, in reference to a surcharge of passion, grief, desire, etc. "No, no, my heart will burst, an if I speak: And I will speak, that so my heart may burst."

To exert force or pressure by which something is made suddenly to give way; to break through obstacles or limitations; hence, to appear suddenly and unexpectedly or unaccountably, or to depart in such manner; usually with some qualifying adverb or preposition, as forth, out, away, into, upon, through, etc. "Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth." "And now you burst (ah cruel!) from my arms." "A resolved villain Whose bowels suddenly burst out." "We were the first that ever burst Into that silent sea." "To burst upon him like an earthquake."

noun

Burst n.

A sudden breaking forth; a violent rending; an explosion; as, a burst of thunder; a burst of applause; a burst of passion; a burst of inspiration. "Bursts of fox-hunting melody."

Any brief, violent exertion or effort; a spurt; as, a burst of speed.

A sudden opening, as of landscape; a stretch; an expanse. (R.) "A fine burst of country."

A rupture or hernia; a breach.

See images of 'Burst'

Etymology of 'Burst'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Burst" Quotes from Famous Books

... at the house from half down the lane. Then he vanished, and Westover went slowly on till he reached that corner of the orchard where the slanting gravestones of the family burial-ground showed above the low wall. There, suddenly, a storm burst upon him. The air rained apples, that struck him on the head, the back, the side, and pelted in violent succession on his knapsack and canvases, camp-stool and easel. He seemed assailed by four or five skilful marksmen, whose ...

— Henry James, Jr. • William Dean Howells

... an oval with benches above each other, not unlike pews, and covered with red serge, above which were arbours of flowers, red and green pilasters, more sarcenet, and Lord March's glasses, which he had lent, as an upholsterer asked Lord Stanley 300l. for the loan of some. He had burst open the side of the wall to build an orchestra, with a pendant mirror to reflect the dancers, a la Guisnes; and the musicians were in scarlet robes, like the candle-snuffers who represent the senates of Venice at Drury Lane. There were ...

— A Letter Book - Selected with an Introduction on the History and Art of Letter-Writing • George Saintsbury

... crashing through the bushes. Then came a louder noise and Baby Kirst, mounted on his big horse, his broad face bedaubed with molasses, burst on the scene. A dozen settlers crowded into the spot behind him. Hacker and Runner were the first to see the dead Indian. With a whoop they drew their knives and rushed in to get the scalp. I drove them back with my horse and loudly ...

— A Virginia Scout • Hugh Pendexter

... came back. "Why I didn't get here in time to place a bet. I drove over from Elmhurst and the blue mare burst a tire. But, say, I've got a mother's darling in the third race! Oh, it's a ladybug for certain! You guys play 'Perhaps' to win and you'll go home looking like Pierp Morgan after a busy day. It can't lose, this clam can't! Say, that horse 'Perhaps' wears gold-plated overshoes and ...

— Get Next! • Hugh McHugh

... burst chime upon chime of mocking laughter. She gave a command—the hands loosened, the poniard withdrew from my heart; suddenly as I had been caught I was free—and unpleasantly ...

— The Moon Pool • A. Merritt

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