Main Entry:

¹burst

Pronunciation:

\ˈbərst\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

burst also burst·ed; burst·ing

Etymology:

Middle English bersten, from Old English berstan; akin to Old High German brestan to burst

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb1: to break open, apart, or into pieces usually from impact or from pressure from within2 a: to give way from an excess of emotion <my heart will burst> b: to give vent suddenly to a repressed emotion <burst into tears> <burst out laughing>3 a: to emerge or spring suddenly <burst out of the house> <burst onto the scene> b: launch, plunge <burst into song>4: to be filled to the breaking point <bursting with excitement> <a crate bursting with fruit>transitive verb1: to cause to burst <burst a balloon>2 a: to force open (as a door or a way) by strong or vigorous action b: to flood over <the river burst its banks>3: to produce by or as if by bursting

— burst at the seams

: to be larger, fuller, or more crowded than could reasonably have been anticipated