I. ˈbərst verb
( burst also burst·ed ; burst·ing )
Etymology: Middle English bersten, from Old English berstan; akin to Old High German brestan to burst
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to break open, apart, or into pieces usually from impact or from pressure from within
2.
a. : to give way from an excess of emotion
my heart will burst
b. : to give vent suddenly to a repressed emotion
burst into tears
burst out laughing
3.
a. : to emerge or spring suddenly
burst out of the house
burst onto the scene
b. : launch , plunge
burst into song
4. : to be filled to the breaking point
burst ing with excitement
a crate burst ing with fruit
transitive verb
1. : to cause to burst
burst a balloon
2.
a. : to force open (as a door or a way) by strong or vigorous action
b. : to flood over
the river burst its banks
3. : to produce by or as if by bursting
•
- burst at the seams
II. noun
Date: 1610
1.
a. : a sudden outbreak ; especially : a vehement outburst (as of emotion)
b. : explosion , eruption
c. : a sudden intense effort
a burst of speed
d. : the duration of fire in one engagement of the mechanism of an automatic firearm
2. : an act of bursting
3. : a result of bursting ; especially : a visible puff accompanying the explosion of a shell