combust

[kuhm-buhst]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to burn.

combust

/ kəmˈbʌst /

adjective

1. astrology (of a star or planet) invisible for a period between 24 and 30 days each year due to its proximity to the sun

verb

1. chem to burn

Word History and Origins

Origin of combust¹

1325–75; Middle English < Latin combūstus (past participle of combūrere to burn up, equivalent to com- com- + -ūs- variant stem of ūrere to burn + -tus past participle suffix; -b- by misanalysis of ambūrere, another derivative, as am- + -būrere )

Example Sentences

A golf pro can have an immaculate swing on the range, then go out and combust in a tournament.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even five World Cups in, she cannot hold back the tears at the national anthem, and looks like she will combust with passion at each wicket she claims.

Read more on BBC

Arbor heats it to extreme temperatures and deprives it of enough oxygen to make the biomass fully combust.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Because so much of this gas is methane and so much of it is either incompletely combusted or not combusted at all through the venting process, we see a huge climate impact.”

Read more on Salon

But here's the kicker - Sabalenka's tendency to combust at a critical juncture means only three of those have resulted in titles.

Read more on BBC