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boilover

American  
[boil-oh-ver] / ˈbɔɪlˌoʊ vər /

noun

  1. the act or fact of boiling over.

    an automatic burner control that eliminates boilovers.


boilover British  
/ ˈbɔɪlˌəʊvə /

noun

  1. a surprising result in a sporting event, esp in a horse race

  2. a sudden conflict

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of boilover

Noun use of verb phrase boil over

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And, finally a boilover in the women’s 75kg boxing – where favourite England’s Natasha Gale has crashed out, going down 30-26 in an unanimous points decision across all five judges to Australian hopeful Caitlin Parker.

From The Guardian • Apr. 9, 2018

Second-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic was eliminated 6-3 6-4 in the biggest boilover of the event by 21-year-old Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, nicknamed Baby Federer for the similarity of his technique to Roger Federer's.

From Reuters • Jan. 3, 2013

Red-eyed and ashen-faced, Qin was as puzzled with the boilover as the huge pack of Chinese journalists awaiting him when he emerged to answer questions.

From Reuters • Aug. 7, 2012

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