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erupt

[ih-ruhpt]
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verb (used without object)
  1. to burst forth: Molten lava erupted from the top of the volcano.
  2. (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject matter.
  3. to break out of a pent-up state, usually in a sudden and violent manner: Words of anger erupted from her.
  4. to break out in a skin rash: Hives erupted all over his face and hands.
  5. (of teeth) to grow through surrounding hard and soft tissues and become visible in the mouth.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to release violently; burst forth with: She erupted angry words.
  2. (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject (matter).
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Origin of erupt

1650–60; < Latin ēruptus burst forth, broken out (past participle of ērumpere), equivalent to ē- e-1 + ruptus, past participle of rumpere to break, rupture
Related formse·rupt·i·ble, adjectivepre·e·rupt, verb (used without object)re·e·rupt, verb (used without object)un·e·rupt·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

detonateappearburstspewexplodeventhurljetspitbelchspoutextravasatevomiteructspurtdischargeruptureemitboilgush

Examples from the Web for erupt

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • At the same moment the earth began to erupt fire and smoke and steel.

  • From beneath it, the potential troglodyte, that lurks in us all, is ready enough to erupt.

    The Paliser case

    Edgar Saltus

  • Shann drew his legs under him, ready to erupt into a counter-offensive.

    Storm Over Warlock

    Andre Norton

  • He is evidently preparing to erupt, which he does at intervals of several days.

    A Summer's Outing

    Carter H. Harrison

  • It was immense, but it might erupt through a dozen forced openings.

British Dictionary definitions for erupt

erupt

verb
  1. to eject (steam, water, and volcanic material such as lava and ash) violently or (of volcanic material, etc) to be so ejected
  2. (intr) (of a skin blemish) to appear on the skin; break out
  3. (intr) (of a tooth) to emerge through the gum and become visible during the normal process of tooth development
  4. (intr) to burst forth suddenly and violently, as from restraintto erupt in anger
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Derived Formseruptible, adjectiveeruption, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin ēruptus having burst forth, from ērumpere, from rumpere to burst
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 erupt

v.

1650s, of diseases, etc., from Latin eruptus, past participle of erumpere "to break out, burst" (see eruption). Of volcanoes, from 1770. Related: Erupted; erupting.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
erupt in Medicine

erupt

(ĭ-rŭpt′)
v.
  1. To break through the gums in developing. Used of teeth.
  2. To appear on the skin. Used of a rash or blemish.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.