2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Burst \Burst\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Burst}; p. pr & vb n.
{Bursting}. The past participle bursten is obsolete.] [OE.
bersten, bresten, AS berstan (pers. sing. berste, imp. sing.
b[ae]rst, 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}.]
1. 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. --Milton.
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. --Shak.
2. 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. --Milton.
And now you burst (ah cruel!) from my arms. --Pope.
A resolved villain Whose bowels suddenly burst out
--Shak.
We were the first that ever burst Into that silent
sea. --Coleridge.
To burst upon him like an earthquake. --Goldsmith.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
bursting
adj : (of munitions) going off "bursting bombs"; "an exploding
nuclear device"; "a spectacular display of detonating
anti-tank mines" [syn: {detonating}, {exploding}]
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