01 n. The act of exploding; detonation; a chemical action which causes the sudden formation of a great volume of expanded gas; as, the explosion …
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1.
The act of exploding; detonation; a chemical action which causes the sudden formation of a great volume of expanded gas; as, the explosion of gunpowder, of fire damp, etc.
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2.
A bursting with violence and loud noise, because of internal pressure; as, the explosion of a gun, a bomb, a steam boiler, etc.
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3.
A violent outburst of feeling, manifested by excited language, action, etc.; as, an explosion of wrath.“A formidable explosion of high-church fanaticism.” — Macaulay.
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4.
a sudden and substantial increase; a rapid acceleration; as, the population explosion.