Burst v. i. [imp. & p. p. Burst; p. pr. & vb. n. Bursting. The past participle bursten is obsolete.]
1. To fly apart or in pieces; of break open; to yield to force or pressure, especially to a sudden and violent exertion of force, or to pressure from within; to explode; as, the boiler had burst; the buds will burst in spring.
From the egg that soon
Bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed
Their callow young. --Milton.
Note: Often used figuratively, as of the heart, in reference to a surcharge of passion, grief, desire, etc.
No, no, my heart will burst, an if I speak:
And I will speak, that so my heart may burst. --Shak.
2. To exert force or pressure by which something is made suddenly to give way; to break through obstacles or limitations; hence, to appear suddenly and unexpectedly or unaccountably, or to depart in such manner; -- usually with some qualifying adverb or preposition, as forth, out, away, into, upon, through, etc.
Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth. --Milton.
And now you burst (ah cruel!) from my arms. --Pope.
A resolved villain
Whose bowels suddenly burst out. --Shak.
We were the first that ever burst
Into that silent sea. --Coleridge.
To burst upon him like an earthquake. --Goldsmith.
bursting
adj : (of munitions) going off; "bursting bombs"; "an exploding
nuclear device"; "a spectacular display of detonating
anti-tank mines" [syn: detonating, exploding]