Bomb
/bɑm/noun
A container that explodes violently, or a sudden explosive device.
Did you know?The word first appears in European languages as an imitation of a loud booming sound, which is why its history is literally built on noise, not on fire.
Etymological Timeline
Early 16th Century
Italian
bomba
“A bomb or explosive device; also a booming sound”
16th Century
French
bombe
“A bomb or shell”
16th Century
Late Latin
bomba
“A booming noise”
Late Latin / Greek
Greek
βόμβος (bómbos)
“A deep booming, humming, or buzzing sound”
Modern English
English
bomb
“An explosive weapon or device”