fulminate
UK: /ˈfʌlmɪneɪt/ | US: /ˈfʊlməˌneɪt/
vi. to explode with a loud noise; detonate
vt. to issue a vehement verbal attack; denounce
n. a salt or ester of fulminic acid, often highly explosive
fulminate = fulmin<lightning/thunder> + ate<verb suffix>
- fulmin (from Latin fulminare "to strike with lightning," derived from fulmen "lightning")
- ate (a verb-forming suffix indicating action or process)
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin fulmen (lightning/thunderbolt), evoking the sudden, violent force of a lightning strike. Over time, fulminate expanded metaphorically to describe verbal outbursts as explosive as thunder. The chemical sense arose from the unstable, reactive nature of fulminic acid salts, which detonate like lightning.
The dictator fulminated against dissenters in a televised speech.
Silver fulminate is highly sensitive to shock and heat.
Thunder fulminated across the valley during the storm.
Critics fulminated over the artist’s controversial exhibit.
The compound can fulminate if handled improperly.