explosive

From Latin explōs-, stem of the perfect passive participle of explōdō + the suffix -ive.

• IPA^(key): /ɛkˈspləʊsɪv/, /ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/

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explosive (comparative more explosive, superlative most explosive)

1. With the capability to, or likely to, explode.

   an explosive device

2. Having the character of an explosion.

   an explosive fire

3. (figurative) Shocking; startling.

   an explosive accusation

4. (slang) Easily driven to anger, usually with reference to a person.

   He has an explosive personality.

• explode

explosive (plural explosives)

1. Any explosive substance.
2. (linguistics, dated) A plosive.
   • 1953, Samuel Beckett, Watt, Olympia Press:

     The words of these songs were either without meaning, or derived from an idiom with which Watt, a very fair linguist, had no acquaintance. The open a sound was predominant, and the explosives k and g.

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explosive

1. feminine singular of explosif

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explosive

1. inflection of explosiv:
   1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
   2. strong nominative/accusative plural
   3. weak nominative all-gender singular
   4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular