v. com·bust·ed, com·bust·ing, com·busts v.intr. 1. a. To catch fire; burst into flame: The fire started when a pile of oily rags spontaneously combusted. b. To undergo combustion; burn: As the fuels were combusting they gave off noxious vapors. 2. To become suddenly angry or agitated: The defendant combusted when he heard the verdict. v.tr. 1. To cause to burn; ignite. 2. To cause to become angry or violent: riots that are combusting whole provinces. [Back-formation from COMBUSTION.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.