v. & n.
--v. (past and past part. burst)
1. a intr. break suddenly and violently apart by expansion of contents or internal pressure. b tr. cause to do this. c tr. send (a container etc.) violently apart.
2 a tr. open forcibly. b intr. come open or be opened forcibly.
3 a intr. (usu. foll. by in, out) make one's way suddenly, dramatically, or by force. b tr. break away from or through (the river burst its banks).
4 tr. & intr. fill or be full to overflowing.
5 intr. appear or come suddenly (burst into flame; burst upon the view; sun burst out).
6 intr. (foll. by into) suddenly begin to shed or utter (esp. burst into tears or laughter or song).
7 intr. be as if about to burst because of effort, excitement, etc.
8 tr. suffer bursting of (burst a blood-vessel).
9 tr. separate (continuous stationery) into single sheets.
--n.
1. the act of or an instance of bursting; a split.
2 a sudden issuing forth (burst of flame).
3 a sudden outbreak (burst of applause).
4 a a short sudden effort; a spurt. b a gallop.
5 an explosion.
Phrases and idioms:
burst out
1. suddenly begin (burst out laughing).
2 exclaim.
Etymology: OE berstan f. Gmc