Definition of Explosive

1. Noun. A chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck.


2. Adjective. Serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst. "An explosive temper"
Similar to: Detonative
Antonyms: Nonexplosive

3. Adjective. Liable to lead to sudden change or violence. "A volatile situation with troops and rioters eager for a confrontation"
Exact synonyms: Volatile
Similar to: Unstable
Derivative terms: Volatility

4. Adjective. Sudden and loud. "An explosive laugh"
Similar to: Sudden

Definition of Explosive

1. a. Driving or bursting out with violence and noise; causing explosion; as, the explosive force of gunpowder.

2. n. An explosive agent; a compound or mixture susceptible of a rapid chemical reaction, as gunpowder, or nitro-glycerine.

Definition of Explosive

1. Noun. Explosive substance. ¹

2. Adjective. With the capability to, or likely to, explode. ¹

3. Adjective. Having the character of an explosion. ¹

4. Adjective. (slang) Easily driven to anger, usually with reference to a person. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Explosive

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Explosive

1. 1. An explosive agent; a compound or mixture susceptible of a rapid chemical reaction, as gunpowder, or nitro-glycerine. 2. A sound produced by an explosive impulse of the breath; one of consonants p, b, t, d, k, g, which are sounded with a sort of explosive power of voice. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Explosive

exploring
exploring electrode
exploring needle
explorings
explorista
exploristas
explornography
explosibility
explosible
explosimeter
explosimeters
explosion
explosion-proof
explosionlike
explosions
explosive
explosive charge
explosive compound
explosive decompression
explosive detection system
explosive device
explosive mixture
explosive speech
explosive trace detection
explosive unit
explosively
explosiveness
explosivenesses
explosives
explosivity

Literary usage of Explosive

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Standard Work of Reference in Art, Literature (1907)
"We may, therefore, consider that the explosive effect varies directly as the volume of gas produced ... the physical state of the explosive substance : (6. ..."

2. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1874)
"The researches detailed in this memoir are in continuation of those described in the Memoir on Explosive Agents, published in 1869*, and relate chiefly to ..."

3. A Dictionary of Applied Chemistry by Thomas Edward Thorpe (1912)
"The factors determining the rapidity of an explosive reaction are the chemical nature of the explosive, its physical condition, the conditions under which ..."

4. Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute by United States Naval Institute (1896)
"brand or securely attached label or other mark, the word " Explosive," with the name of the explosive, followed by the word " Nitrate mixture," and the name ..."

5. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1884)
"The principal topics treated are, the force of explosives ; the origin, duration, and speed of propagation of the explosive reactions ; inflammation and ..."

6. Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute by United States Naval Institute (1895)
"brand or securely attached label or other mark, the word “Explosive,” with the name of the explosive, followed by the word “Nitrate mixture,” and the name ..."

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