detonate
verbUK /ˈdɛtəneɪt/ · CA, US /ˈdɛtəˌneɪt/
Etymology First attested in 1729; either borrowed from French détoner or directly from Latin dētonātus, perfect passive participle of dētonō (“to thunder down (strongly); (figuratively, of a person) to thunder, speak threateningly, to rage; to stop thundering”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from dē- (“off, from”) + tonō (“to thunder”)). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)tenh₂-. The current interlingual meaning seems to be a new formation in postclassical times (to thunder → make a large noise → explode), compare explode.
1
To explode, blow up
2
Especially To combust or decompose supersonically via shock compression.
3
To cause to explode.
- The engineers detonated the dynamite and watched the old building collapse.
4
Figuratively To express sudden anger.
- As Oscar turned to greet Yvonne, she could see every muscle in his body contract in anger. Then he detonated. “What the hell are you doing here without an appointment? […]2013, Michael J. Restrepo, The Custody Officer, page 116:
- Derived terms
- detcord, detonatable, detonation, detonative, detonator, nondetonating, undetonated
- Related terms
- stentorian, Thor, thunder, Thursday
- Hypernyms
- combust