Lexic.us

Definition of Detonate

1. Verb. Cause to burst with a violent release of energy. "We exploded the nuclear bomb"

2. Verb. Burst and release energy as through a violent chemical or physical reaction. "The Molotov cocktail exploded"

Definition of Detonate

1. v. i. To explode with a sudden report; as, niter detonates with sulphur.

2. v. t. To cause to explode; to cause to burn or inflame with a sudden report.

Definition of Detonate

1. Verb. (intransitive) To explode; to blow up. Specifically, to combust supersonically via shock compression. ¹

2. Verb. (transitive) To cause an explosion. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Detonate

1. to cause to explode [v -NATED, -NATING, -NATES]

Medical Definition of Detonate

1. To explode with a sudden report; as, niter detonates with sulphur. Origin: L. Detonare, v. I, to thunder down; de + tonare to thunder; akin to E. Thunder. See Thunder, and cf. Detonize. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Detonate

deticking deticks detinned detinner detinners detinning detins detinue detinues detitanation

detonabilities detonability detonable detonatable detonate (current term) detonated detonates detonating detonating device detonating fuse

detonation detonations detonative detonator detonators detonization detonizations detonize detonized

Literary usage of Detonate

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Rock Drills: Design, Construction, and Use by Eustace M. Weston (1910)
"For instance, ordinary dynamite, with 40 per cent, nitroglycerine, is easier to detonate thoroughly than a gelatine dynamite containing even as much as 80 ..."

2. Tri-nitro-glycerin: As Applied in the Hoosac Tunnel, and to Submarine by George M. Mowbray (1874)
"TEMPERATURE AT WHICH CERTAIN EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES OR detonate. Powder used in the Chassepot rifle, . 380° Fulminate of mercury, 392° Mixture equal parts ..."

3. A Dictionary of Chemistry and the Allied Branches of Other Sciences by Henry Watts (1870)
"The salt forms transparent, colourless, rhombic tables, which are tasteless, detonate very strongly at 195° C. or by percussion, or by contact with oil of ..."

4. Trukese-English Dictionary =: Pwpwuken Tettenin Fóós, Chuuk-Ingenes by Ward Hunt Goodenough, Hiroshi Sugita (1980)
"explode, detonate, fire (as shoot off, set off, detonate. ... cause to explode, detonate. explode, crackle (of fire). detonate, cause to slam. detonation ..."

Other Resources: