combust

American  

[kuhm-buhst] / kəmˈbʌst /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to burn.

---

combust British  

/ kəmˈbʌst /

adjective

1. astrology (of a star or planet) invisible for a period between 24 and 30 days each year due to its proximity to the sun

---

verb

1. chem to burn

Etymology

Origin of combust

1325–75; Middle English < Latin combūstus (past participle of combūrere to burn up, equivalent to com- com- + -ūs- variant stem of ūrere to burn + -tus past participle suffix; -b- by misanalysis of ambūrere, another derivative, as am- + -būrere )

Example Sentences

She avoids my stare, probably because she knows I'm imagining they are lasers and whatever I look at will be forced to spontaneously combust.

From Literature

Most of the other beastkeepers were still staring in bewilderment at the place where the candle had been; a few were looking around it trying to find what had caused it to combust.

From Literature

Two cops enter the waiting room just as I’m about to spontaneously combust.

From Literature

Too much reactivity and we would spontaneously combust.

From Literature

Within a minute their clothes combust, grass is set ablaze.

From Literature