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irruption

[ih-ruhp-shuh n]
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noun
  1. a breaking or bursting in; a violent incursion or invasion.
  2. Ecology. a sudden increase in an animal population.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for irruption

Historical Examples

  • 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

n.

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
irruption in Medicine

irruption

(ĭ-rŭp′shən)
n.
  1. The act or process of breaking through to a surface.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.