I. ik-ˈsplō-siv, -ziv adjective
Date: 1667
1.
a. : relating to, characterized by, or operated by explosion
an explosive hatch
b. : resulting from or as if from an explosion
explosive population growth
2.
a. : tending to explode
an explosive person
b. : likely to erupt in or produce hostile reaction or violence
an explosive ghetto situation
• ex·plo·sive·ly adverb
• ex·plo·sive·ness noun
II. noun
Date: 1849
1. : an explosive substance
2. : a consonant characterized by explosion in its articulation when it occurs in certain environments : stop