explosive English · revision 10740

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1667|origins=la explosus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪkˈspləʊ.sɪv/, US /ɪkˈsploʊ.sɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[der|la|explōsus]], past participle of explōdere, to drive out, reject (see [[explode]] and [[explosion]]), and [[-ive]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Tending to drive something out with violence and noise: 1667 in the OED and Merriam-Webster, the 1660s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Produced by an explosion is from 1735,^(OED 1989) and tending to explode or go off with a loud noise from 1796.^(OED 1989) In phonetics, of a consonant produced by a burst of breath, it is from 1854 (now usually [[plosive]]).^(OED 1989)^(AHD) The noun, an explosive substance, is from 1849 in Merriam-Webster, 1874 in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) Of a situation or temper, liable to burst out in violence or anger, is a figurative use.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1667 – driving out violently.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1796 – liable to explode.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1849 – an explosive (noun).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1854 – of a consonant.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Able or likely to [[explode]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of or like an explosion.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Likely to lead to violence or anger: ''an explosive situation''.^(Collins 2023)

+ # Sudden and rapid: ''explosive growth''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A substance that can be made to explode, such as [[dynamite]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[explosively]]

+ * [[explosiveness]]

+ * [[inexplosive]]

+ * [[nonexplosive]]

+ * [[unexplosive]]

+ * [[high explosive]]

+ * [[low explosive]]

+ * [[plastic explosive]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[explode]]

+ * [[explosion]]

+ * [[plosive]]

+ * [[applause]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}