irruptive

[ ih-ruhp-tiv ]

/ ɪˈrʌp tɪv /

adjective

of, relating to, or characterized by irruption.

irrupting or tending to irrupt.

Petrology. intrusive.

Nearby words

Origin of irruptive

First recorded in 1585–95; irrupt + -ive

Related formsir·rup·tive·ly, adverbun·ir·rup·tive, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for irruptive

In the meantime, concern and suspense and irruptive wrath had their chief abode in the inner room of Remington and Evans.
The Sturdy Oak|Samuel Merwin, et al.
After Dolly's departure, Rinda had made a second irruptive entrance, with the announcement, "Gen'lem!"
Horace Chase|Constance Fenimore Woolson
One was an irruptive craving within him to take some part in the dynamic activities of the surrounding world.
Average Jones|Samuel Hopkins Adams
Fact is, gallant little Wales was swamped by irruptive Ireland.
Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 99., December 13, 1890|Various

They seem to be a necessary evil to be classed with smallpox, chicken-pox, yellow fever and other irruptive diseases.
Poems for Pale People|Edwin C. Ranck

British Dictionary definitions for irruptive

irruptive

/ (ɪˈrʌptɪv) /

adjective

irrupting or tending to irrupt

of, involving, or causing irruption

obsolete (of igneous rocks) intrusive

Derived Formsirruptively, adverb

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