Erupt

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ɪˈɹʌpt/

Definitions

1. To burst forth suddenly and violently, often referring to volcanoes releasing lava or situations breaking out intensely
2. To suddenly burst forth with force or violence, as when a volcano expels lava or conflict breaks out abruptly
3. To break out suddenly and forcefully in a violent or intense manner, whether describing volcanic activity or the rapid emergence of a situation

Etymology: The Latin verb "ērumpō" meant "to break out" or "to burst out from", and it was built from "e", meaning "out", and "rumpō", meaning "to break". Its past participle, "eruptus", is the source of the English word, so "erupt" is a compact picture of something breaking outward through a barrier. The original sense was physical and violent. A breach in a wall, a surge of water, or a sudden rush from a confined space all fit the Latin idea of bursting through. The modern sense of a volcano spewing lava or a crowd breaking into shouting is the same action, transferred to a different kind of pressure. The same root "rumpō" also gives English "rupture" and "abrupt", which share the core notion of a sudden break. Among the family's members, "erupt" keeps the sense of force from inside pushing outward most clearly.

Synonyms: explode, burst, erupt, release, break out

Antonyms: calm, soothe, subside