explosion
UK: ɪkˈspləʊʒən | US: ɪkˈsploʊʒən
n. a violent and sudden release of energy, often with noise and destruction
n. a sudden, rapid increase in amount or extent (e.g., population explosion)
n. an outburst of strong emotion (e.g., explosion of laughter)
explosion = ex<out> + plos<burst> + ion<noun suffix>
- ex: Latin prefix meaning "out" or "away."
- plos: Derived from Latin plaudere (to clap, burst), later altered to plodere/plosum (to explode).
- ion: Noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin explodere (to drive out by clapping, later "to reject with noise"), combining ex- (out) and plaudere (to clap). Over time, plaudere evolved into plodere, shifting from theatrical disapproval (clapping to eject performers) to the modern sense of violent bursting. The suffix -ion solidified its noun form, emphasizing the action or result of bursting outward.
The explosion shook the entire building.
The 20th century saw an explosion in technological advancements.
Her joke triggered an explosion of laughter.
Scientists study the chemical reactions behind volcanic explosions.
The sudden explosion of colors in the sky amazed the crowd.