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ex·plode (ĭk-splōd)
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v. ex·plod·ed, ex·plod·ing, ex·plodes
v. intr.
1.
a. To expand outward suddenly and usually violently due to the force of internal pressure or the release of chemical or nuclear energy: The bomb exploded.
b. To burst violently as a result of such expansion.
2. To shatter with a loud noise: The vase exploded into tiny pieces when it hit the floor.
3. To make an emotional outburst: My neighbor exploded in rage at the trespassers.
4. To increase suddenly, sharply, and without control: The population in this area has exploded during the past 12 years.
5. To change state or appearance suddenly: Over the weekend the trees exploded with color.
6. Sports To hit a golf ball out of a sand trap with a shot that scatters the sand.
v. tr.
1. To cause to release energy or burst violently and noisily: The children exploded three firecrackers.
2. To show to be false or unreliable: explode a hypothesis.
3. Sports To hit (a golf ball) out of a sand trap with an explosive shot.
[Latin explōdere, to drive out by clapping : ex-, ex- + plaudere, to clap.]
ex·ploder n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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