deflagrate

[ def-luh-greyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, def·la·grat·ed, def·la·grat·ing.

1. to burn, especially suddenly and violently.

deflagrate

/ ˈdɛfləˌɡreɪt; ˈdiː- /

verb

1. to burn or cause to burn with great heat and light

Derived Forms

• ˌdeflaˈgration, noun

Other Words From

• defla·gra·ble adjective
• defla·gra·bili·ty noun
• defla·gration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflagrate¹

1720–30; < Latin dēflagrātus (past participle of dēflagrāre to burn down), equivalent to dē- de- + flagr ( āre ) to burn + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflagrate¹

C18: from Latin dēflagrāre, from de- + flagrāre to burn

Example Sentences

They deflagrate when sprinkled on fused nitre, forming carbonate of potash.

From Project Gutenberg

Another portion of the residue should deflagrate when saturated with an alkali and projected upon live coals.

From Project Gutenberg

They deflagrate like the chlorates when heated with combustibles.

From Project Gutenberg

The matches tipped with it deflagrate with a snapping noise.

From Project Gutenberg

Like the nitrates, they deflagrate with inflammable substances, but with greater facility and violence.

From Project Gutenberg