explosive
|ex-plos-ive|
🇺🇸
/ɪkˈsploʊ.sɪv/
🇬🇧
/ɪkˈspləʊ.sɪv/
capable of causing an explosion
Etymology
'explosive' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'explosivus,' where 'ex-' meant 'out' and 'plaudere' meant 'to clap or strike.'
'explosivus' transformed into the French word 'explosif,' and eventually became the modern English word 'explosive' through Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'to clap or strike out,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'able to cause an explosion.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance or device that can cause an explosion.
The bomb squad safely disposed of the explosive.
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Adjective 1
able to cause an explosion or likely to explode.
The explosive material was handled with extreme caution.
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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39