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 The past participle bursten is obsolete.]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]