Microblast
/ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.blæst/noun
A small explosive discharge or burst; also used in some technical contexts for a tiny blast of air or material.
Did you know?The first element comes from Greek *mikros* meaning “small,” while the second comes from an ancient Germanic root for “blow” or “burst,” so the word is basically a miniature detonation in disguise.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meykro-
“small”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhel-
“to blow, swell, burst”
Ancient Greek
Greek
mikrós
“small”
Old English
OE
blǣst
“a blast, blowing, gust”
Modern English
English
microblast
“a small blast or explosive burst”