explosive

explosive
[[t]ɪksplo͟ʊsɪv[/t]]
explosives
1) N-VAR An explosive is a substance or device that can cause an explosion.

...one-hundred-and-fifty pounds of Semtex explosive...

There were traces of explosives in the bedroom.

2) ADJ-GRADED Something that is explosive is capable of causing an explosion.

The explosive device was timed to go off at the rush hour...

Highly explosive gas is naturally found in coal mines.

Derived words:
explosively ADV ADV adj, ADV after v

Hydrogen is explosively flammable when mixed with oxygen.

3) ADJ-GRADED An explosive growth is a sudden, rapid increase in the size or quantity of something.

The explosive growth in casinos is one of the most conspicuous signs of Westernisation.

Derived words:
explosively ADV-GRADED ADV after v, ADV adj

These transactions grew explosively in the early 1980s.

4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n An explosive situation is likely to have difficult, serious, or dangerous effects.

He appeared to be treating the potentially explosive situation with some sensitivity...

Nobody knows what explosive arguments the future of Europe will bring.

Derived words:
explosively ADV-GRADED ADV after v

A referendum next year would coincide explosively with the election campaign.

5) ADJ-GRADED If you describe someone as explosive, you mean that they tend to express sudden violent anger.

She was unpredictable, explosive, impulsive and easily distracted...

He's inherited his father's explosive temper.

Syn:
Derived words:
explosively ADV ADV after v, ADV adj

`Are you mad?' David asked explosively.

6) ADJ-GRADED A sudden loud noise can be described as explosive.

He made a loud, explosive noise of disgust.

...an explosive drumbeat.

Derived words:
explosively ADV ADV adj, ADV after v

The sound of her own chewing and swallowing were explosively loud.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • Explosive — Ex*plo sive, a. [Cf. F. explosif.] Driving or bursting out with violence and noise; causing explosion; as, the explosive force of gunpowder. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • explosive — [ek splō′siv, iksplō′siv] adj. 1. of, causing, or having the nature of, an explosion 2. tending to explode; esp., tending to burst forth noisily 3. likely to explode, as in violence [an explosive situation] 4. Phonet. PLOSIVE n. 1. a substance… …   English World dictionary

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  • explosive — (adj.) 1660s, tending to explode, from L. explos (pp. stem of explodere; see EXPLOSION (Cf. explosion)) + IVE (Cf. ive). As a noun, from 1874 …   Etymology dictionary

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  • explosive — explosively, adv. explosiveness, n. /ik sploh siv/, adj. 1. tending or serving to explode: an explosive temper; Nitroglycerin is an explosive substance. 2. pertaining to or of the nature of an explosion: explosive violence. 3. likely to lead to… …   Universalium

  • explosive — 1 adjective 1 able or likely to explode: At high temperatures this gas is explosive. | explosive device (=a bomb) 2 an explosive situation is violent or dangerous: the explosive atmosphere of the inner cities 3 increasing suddenly or rapidly in… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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