Explosive
/ɪkˈsploʊ.sɪv/noun
Able or likely to explode; sudden and violent in effect or emotion.
Did you know?“Explosive” comes from Latin *explodere*, originally meaning “to drive out by clapping,” because Roman audiences could literally boo something off the stage with a thunderous noise.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
explodere
“to drive out by clapping or noise; to reject noisily”
Late Latin
Latin
explosus
“driven out with a noise; rejected”
Middle French
Old French
explosif
“bursting out; violent, eruptive”
16th Century
English
explosive
“tending to burst out or erupt with force”
Modern English
English
explosive
“able or likely to explode; sudden and violent in effect or emotion”