— explosively , adv. — explosiveness , n.
/ik sploh"siv/ , adj.
1. tending or serving to explode: an explosive temper; Nitroglycerin is an explosive substance.
2. pertaining to or of the nature of an explosion: explosive violence.
3. likely to lead to violence or hostility: an explosive issue.
4. Phonet. plosive.
n.
5. an explosive agent or substance, as dynamite.
6. Phonet. plosive.
[ 1660-70; EXPLOS(ION) + -IVE ]