deflagrate

[def-luh-greyt]

verb (used with or without object), def·la·grat·ed, def·la·grat·ing.

to burn, especially suddenly and violently.

Origin of deflagrate

1720–30; < Latin dēflagrātus (past participle of dēflagrāre to burn down), equivalent to dē- de- + flagr(āre) to burn + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsdef·la·gra·ble, adjectivedef·la·gra·bil·i·ty, noundef·la·gra·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for deflagration

Historical Examples of deflagration

The case is the same when this Salt is alkalizated by deflagration.
Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.
Pierre Joseph Macquer
Deflagration is the burning of a substance with explosive violence, generally due to excess of oxygen.
The Elements of Blowpipe Analysis
Frederick Hutton Getman
It seems to me that the deflagration, by the intense brilliancy of the substances in combustion, is produced in pure oxygen.
From the Earth to the Moon, Direct in Ninety-Seven Hours and Twenty Minutes: and a Trip Round It
Jules Verne
This deflagration of Sulphur is the only means we have of decomposing it, in order to obtain its Acid in purity.
Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.
Pierre Joseph Macquer
In this deflagration the Acid is dissipated, and totally separated from the Alkali, which now remains by itself.
Elements of the Theory and Practice of Chymistry, 5th ed.
Pierre Joseph Macquer

British Dictionary definitions for deflagration

deflagrate

verb

to burn or cause to burn with great heat and light

Derived Formsdeflagration, noun

Word Origin for deflagrate

C18: from Latin dēflagrāre, from de- + flagrāre to burn

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

Word Origin and History for deflagration

c.1600, from Latin deflagrationem (nominative deflagratio) "a burning up, conflagration," noun of action from past participle stem of deflagrare, from de- (see de-) + flagrare (see flagrant).