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 verb 1 : to break open, apart, or into pieces usually from impact or from pressure from within
2 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 verb 1 : 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