irruption

[ih-ruhp-shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR irruption ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a breaking or bursting in; a violent incursion or invasion.

Ecology. a sudden increase in an animal population.

Origin of irruption

1570–80; < Latin irruptiōn- (stem of irruptiō), equivalent to irrupt(us), past participle of irrumpere to burst into (see ir-¹, rupture) + -iōn- -ion

Can be confusederuption irruption

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

Related Words for irruption

invasion, attack, incursion

Examples from the Web for irruption

Historical Examples of irruption

To this irruption succeeded an interval of peace—the calm before the storm.
Leila, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
And there was an irruption from the house on to the terrace.
A Room With A View
E. M. Forster
There has been more than one irruption into the country from the natives to the northward.
The Mission; or Scenes in Africa
Captain Frederick Marryat
With angry voice the Satrap demanded the cause of this irruption.
A King of Tyre
James M. Ludlow
There was no irruption of the newly-weds to complicate matters.
Wanted: A Husband
Samuel Hopkins Adams

Word Origin and History for irruption

1570s, from Middle French irruption or directly from Latin irruptionem (nominative irruptio) "a breaking in, bursting in, invasion," noun of action from past participle stem of irrumpere, from assimilated form of in- "into, in, on, upon" (see in- (2)) + rumpere (see rupture (n.)). Frequently confused with eruption.

irruption in Medicine

irruption

[ĭ-rŭp′shən]

n.

The act or process of breaking through to a surface.