Burst

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (intransitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Burst, v. i. [OE. bersten, bresten, AS. berstan (pers. sing. berste, imp. sing. bærst, imp. pl. burston, p. p. borsten); akin to D. bersten, G. bersten, OHG. brestan, OS. brestan, Icel. bresta, Sw. brista, Dan. briste. Cf. Brast, Break.].

•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  "Often used figuratively, as of the heart, in reference to a surcharge of passion, grief, desire, etc."  [1913 Webster]

  "From the egg that soon
  Bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed
  Their callow young."  [1913 Webster]

  "No, no, my heart will burst, an if I speak:
  And I will speak, that so my heart may burst."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  "Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth."  [1913 Webster]

  "And now you burst (ah cruel!) from my arms."  [1913 Webster]

  "A resolved villain
  Whose bowels suddenly burst out."  [1913 Webster]

  "We were the first that ever burst
  Into that silent sea."  [1913 Webster]

  "To burst upon him like an earthquake."  [1913 Webster]

Burst, v. t. 

•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  "My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage."  [1913 Webster]
•  To break.  [1913 Webster]

  "You will not pay for the glasses you have burst?"  [1913 Webster]

  "He burst his lance against the sand below."  [1913 Webster]
•  To produce as an effect of bursting; as, to burst a hole through the wall.  [1913 Webster]

Bursting charge. See under Charge.

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.  [1913 Webster]

  "Bursts of fox-hunting melody."  [1913 Webster]
•  Any brief, violent exertion or effort; a spurt; as, a burst of speed.  [1913 Webster]
•  A sudden opening, as of landscape; a stretch; an expanse.  Jane Austen.  [1913 Webster]
•  A rupture or hernia; a breach.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Burst, v. & n.
--v. (past and past part. burst)
1 a intr. break suddenly and violently apart by expansion of contents or internal pressure. b tr. cause to do this. c tr. send (a container etc.) violently apart.
2 a tr. open forcibly. b intr. come open or be opened forcibly.
3 a intr. (usu. foll. by in, out) make one's way suddenly, dramatically, or by force. b tr. break away from or through (the river burst its banks).
4 tr. & intr. fill or be full to overflowing.
5 intr. appear or come suddenly (burst into flame; burst upon the view; sun burst out).
6 intr. (foll. by into) suddenly begin to shed or utter (esp. burst into tears or laughter or song).
7 intr. be as if about to burst because of effort, excitement, etc.
8 tr. suffer bursting of (burst a blood-vessel).
9 tr. separate (continuous stationery) into single sheets.
--n.
1 the act of or an instance of bursting; a split.
2 a sudden issuing forth (burst of flame).
3 a sudden outbreak (burst of applause).
4 a a short sudden effort; a spurt. b a gallop.
5 an explosion.

Idiom

burst out
1 suddenly begin (burst out laughing).
2 exclaim.

Etymology

OE berstan f. Gmc

THESAURUS

Burst

access, ado, aggravated, agitation, antiaircraft barrage, backfire, bang, bark, barrage, belch, blast, blaze, blaze of temper, blow out, blow up, blowout, blowup, bombardment, boom, bother, botheration, box barrage, breach, break, break open, break up, breakage, broadside, broken, bump, burned, burst, burst of speed, bury, bust, busted, bustle, cache, cannonade, cannonry, canter, cascade, check, checked, chip, chipped, clap, clash, cleft, coffin, come apart, come unstuck, commotion, conceal, convulsion, cover, crack, cracked, crash, crazed, creeping barrage, crump, cut, cyclone, damaged, dash, dead run, debouchment, deflagration, deteriorated, detonate, detonation, discharge, disintegrate, dissiliency, dive, dogtrot, drive, drumfire, embittered, emergency barrage, enfilade, ensconce, entomb, eructation, eruption, exacerbated, exfoliate, explode, explosion, fall to pieces, feery-fary, ferment, fidgetiness, fire, fissure, fit, flank speed, flap, flare, flare up, flare-up, flash, flash fire, flat-out speed, flop, flurry, fluster, flutter, flutteriness, forced draft, fracture, fragment, fulguration, full gallop, fulminate, fulmination, fusillade, fuss, fussiness, gale, gallop, gap, give away, give way, go off, gunshot, gush, gust, hand gallop, harmed, headlong rush, heavy right foot, hide, high lope, high words, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurricane, hurt, impaired, imperfect, in bits, in pieces, in shards, inhume, injured, inter, inurn, irritated, irruption, jet, jog trot, knock, lacerated, lay away, lay to rest, let off, lope, lunge, maelstrom, mangled, maximum speed, mortar barrage, mushroom, mutilated, normal barrage, occult, open throttle, outbreak, outburst, paroxysm, pash, pitch, plant, plunge, pop, pother, puncture, put away, race, rap, rapids, rent, report, restlessness, rift, rip, rive, run, rupture, ruptured, rush, sally, salvo, scalded, scale, scamper, scene, scorched, scramble, screen, scud, scurry, scuttle, secrete, seizure, sepulcher, sepulture, set off, shatter, shattered, shiver, shoot, shot, shower, slam, slap, slash, slashed, slat, slice, slit, smack, smash, smashed, smatter, snap, spasm, spate, spew, splat, splinter, split, spray, spring a leak, sprint, sprung, spurt, standing barrage, start, stash, stew, stir, storm, swap, sweat, swirl, tap, tear, tempest, the worse for, thwack, to-do, tomb, torn, tornado, torrent, touch off, trot, tumult, unquiet, upheaval, volcan, volley, vortex, weakened, whack, wham, whap, whirl, whirlwind, whomp, whop, wide-open speed, worse, worse off, worsened

ROGET THESAURUS

Burst

Disjunction

VB be disjoined, come off, fall off, come to pieces, fall to pieces, peel off, get loose, disjoin, disconnect, disengage, disunite, dissociate, dispair, divorce, part, dispart, detach, separate, cut off, rescind, segregate, set apart, keep apart, insulate, isolate, throw out of gear, cut adrift, loose, unloose, undo, unbind, unchain, unlock, unpack, unravel, disentangle, set free, sunder, divide, subdivide, sever, dissever, abscind, circumcise, cut, incide, incise, saw, snip, nib, nip, cleave, rive, rend, slit, split, splinter, chip, crack, snap, break, tear, burst, rend, rend asunder, rend in twain, wrench, rupture, shatter, shiver, cranch, crunch, craunch, chop, cut up, rip up, hack, hew, slash, whittle, haggle, hackle, discind, lacerate, scamble, mangle, gash, hash, slice, cut up, carve, dissect, anatomize, dislimb, take to pieces, pull to pieces, pick to pieces, tear to pieces, tear to tatters, tear piecemeal, tear limb from limb, divellicate, skin, disintegrate, dismember, disbranch, disband, disperse, dislocate, disjoint, break up, mince, comminute, apportion, part, part company, separate, leave.

Instantaneity

N instantaneity, instantaneousness, immediacy, suddenness, abruptness, moment, instant, second, minute, twinkling, trice, flash, breath, crack, jiffy, coup, burst, flash of lightning, stroke of time, epoch, time, time of day, time of night, hour, minute, very minute, very time, very hour, present time, right time, true time, exact correct time, instantaneous, momentary, sudden, immediate, instant, abrupt, discontinuous, precipitous, precipitant, precipitate, subitaneous, hasty, quick as thought, quick as lightning, quick as a flash, rapid as electricity, speedy, quick, fast, fleet, swift, lively, blitz, rapid (velocity), instantaneously, in no time, in less than no time, presto, subito, instanter, suddenly, at a stroke, like a shot, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, in the twinkling of an eye, in a trice, in one's tracks, right away, toute a l'heure, at one jump, in the same breath, per saltum, uno saltu, at once, all at once, plump, slap, at one fell swoop, at the same instant, immediately, extempore, on the moment, on the spot, on the spur of the moment, no sooner said than done, just then, slap-dash, touch and go, no sooner said than done.

Excitability

N excitability, impetuosity, vehemence, boisterousness, turbulence, impatience, intolerance, nonendurance, irritability, itching, wincing, disquiet, disquietude, restlessness, fidgets, fidgetiness, agitation, trepidation, perturbation, ruffle, hurry, fuss, flurry, fluster, flutter, pother, stew, ferment, whirl, buck fever, hurry-skurry, thrill, state of excitement, fever of excitement, transport, passion, excitement, flush, heat, fever, heat, fire, flame, fume, blood boiling, tumult, effervescence, ebullition, boiling over, whiff, gust, story, tempest, scene, breaking out, burst, fit, paroxysm, explosion, outbreak, outburst, agony, violence, fierceness, rage, fury, furor, furore, desperation, madness, distraction, raving, delirium, phrensy, frenzy, hysterics, intoxication, tearing passion, raging passion, anger, fascination, infatuation, fanaticism, Quixotism, Quixotry, tete montee, excitable, easily excited, in an excitable state, high-strung, irritable, impatient, intolerant, feverish, febrile, hysterical, delirious, mad, moody, maggoty- headed, unquiet, mercurial, electric, galvanic, hasty, hurried, restless, fidgety, fussy, chafing, startlish, mettlesome, high-mettled, skittish, vehement, demonstrative, violent, wild, furious, fierce, fiery, hot-headed, madcap, overzealous, enthusiastic, impassioned, fanatical, rabid, rampant, clamorous, uproarious, turbulent, tempestuous, tumultuary, boisterous, impulsive, impetuous, passionate, uncontrolled, uncontrollable, ungovernable, irrepressible, stanchless, inextinguishable, burning, simmering, volcanic, ready to burst forth, volatile, excited, exciting, Int, pish!, pshaw!, noli me tangere, filled with fury, rapt, inspir'd, maggiore fretta minore atto.

Violence

N violence, inclemency, vehemence, might, impetuosity, boisterousness, effervescence, ebullition, turbulence, bluster, uproar, callithump, riot, row, rumpus, le diable a quatre, devil to pay, all the fat in the fire, severity, ferocity, rage, fury, exacerbation, exasperation, malignity, fit, paroxysm, orgasm, climax, aphrodisia, force, brute force, outrage, coup de main, strain, shock, shog, spasm, convulsion, throe, hysterics, passion, outbreak, outburst, debacle, burst, bounce, dissilience, discharge, volley, explosion, blow up, blast, detonation, rush, eruption, displosion, torrent, turmoil, ferment, storm, tempest, rough weather, squall, earthquake, volcano, thunderstorm, berserk, berserker, fury, dragon, demon, tiger, beldame, Tisiphone, Megaera, Alecto, madcap, wild beast, fire eater, violent, vehement, warm, acute, sharp, rough, rude, ungentle, bluff, boisterous, wild, brusque, abrupt, waspish, impetuous, rampant, turbulent, disorderly, blustering, raging, troublous, riotous, tumultuary, tumultuous, obstreperous, uproarious, extravagant, unmitigated, ravening, inextinguishable, tameless, frenzied, desperate, infuriate, furious, outrageous, frantic, hysteric, in hysterics, fiery, flaming, scorching, hot, red-hot, ebullient, savage, fierce, ferocious, fierce as a tiger, excited, unquelled, unquenched, unextinguished, unrepressed, unbridled, unruly, headstrong, ungovernable, unappeasable, immitigable, unmitigable, uncontrollable, incontrollable, insuppressible, irrepressible, orgastic, orgasmatic, orgasmic, spasmodic, convulsive, explosive, detonating, volcanic, meteoric, stormy, violently, amain, by storm, by force, by main force, with might and main, tooth and nail, vi et armis, at the point of the sword, at the point of the bayonet, at one fell swoop, with a high hand, through thick and thin, in desperation, with a vengeance, a outrance, a toute outrance, headlong, head foremost, furor arma ministrat, blown with restless violence round about the pende.

VB be violent, run high, ferment, effervesce, romp, rampage, go on a rampage, run wild, run amuck, run riot, break the peace, rush, tear, rush headlong, rush foremost, raise a storm, make a riot, rough house, riot, storm, wreak, bear down, ride roughshod, out Herod, Herod, spread like wildfire (person), explode, make a row, kick up a row, boil, boil over, fume, foam, come on like a lion, bluster, rage, roar, fly off the handle, go bananas, go ape, blow one's top, blow one's cool, flip one's lid, hit the ceiling, hit the roof, fly into a rage (anger), break out, fly out, burst out, bounce, explode, go off, displode, fly, detonate, thunder, blow up, crump, flash, flare, burst, shock, strain, break open, force open, prize open, render violent, sharpen, stir up, quicken, excite, incite, annoy, urge, lash, stimulate, turn on, irritate, inflame, kindle, suscitate, foment, accelerate, aggravate, exasperate, exacerbate, convulse, infuriate, madden, lash into fury, fan the flame, add fuel to the flame, pour oil on the fire, oleum addere camino, explode, let fly, fly off, discharge, detonate, set off, detonize, fulminate.

Resentment

N resentment, displeasure, animosity, anger, wrath, indignation, exasperation, bitter resentment, wrathful indignation, pique, umbrage, huff, miff, soreness, dudgeon, acerbity, virulence, bitterness, acrimony, asperity, spleen, gall, heart-burning, heart-swelling, rankling, ill humor, bad humor, ill temper, bad temper, irascibility, ill blood, revenge, excitement, irritation, warmth, bile, choler, ire, fume, pucker, dander, ferment, ebullition, towering passion, acharnement, angry mood, taking, pet, tiff, passion, fit, tantrums, burst, explosion, paroxysm, storm, rage, fury, desperation, violence, fire and fury, vials of wrath, gnashing of teeth, hot blood, high words, scowl, sulks, affront, provocation, offense, indignity, grudge, crow to pluck, bone to pick, sore subject, casus belli, ill turn, outrage, Furies, Eumenides, buffet, slap in the face, box on the ear, rap on the knuckles, angry, wrath, irate, ireful, wrathful, cross, Achillean, sulky, bitter, virulent, acrimonious &c (discourteous), violent, warm, burning, boiling, boiling over, fuming, raging, foaming, foaming at the mouth, convulsed with rage, offended, waxy, acharne, wrought, worked up, indignant, hurt, sore, set against, fierce, wild, rageful, furious, mad with rage, fiery, infuriate, rabid, savage, relentless, flushed with anger, flushed with rage, in a huff, in a stew, in a fume, in a pucker, in a passion, in a rage, in a fury, in a taking, in a way, on one's high ropes, up in arms, in high dudgeon, angrily, in the height of passion, in the heat of passion, in the heat of the moment, Int, tantaene animis coelestibus irae!, marry come up!, zounds!, 'sdeath!, one's blood being up, one's back being up, one's monkey being up, fervens difficili bile jecur, the gorge rising, eyes flashing fire, the blood rising, the blood boiling, haeret lateri lethalis arundo, beware the fury of a patient man, furor arma ministrat, ira furor brevis est, quem Jupiter vult perdere dementat prius, What, drunk with choler?.

Brittleness

VB be brittle, live in a glass house, break, crack, snap, split, shiver, splinter, crumble, break short, burst, fly, give way, fall to pieces, crumble to, crumble into dust.

Snap

N snap, rapping, decrepitation, crepitation, report, thud, burst, explosion, blast, boom, discharge, detonation, firing, salvo, volley, squib, cracker, firecracker, cherry bomb, M, gun, cap, cap gun, popgun, implosion, bomb burst, atomic explosion, nuclear explosion (arms), gunpowder, dynamite, gun cotton, nitroglycerine, nitrocellulose, plastic explosive, plastique, TNT, cordite, trinitrotoluene, picric acid, picrates, mercury fulminate (arms), whack, wham, pow, rapping, Int, kaboom!, whamo!, Heewhack!, pow!.