Explosion

(eks-plō'zhun.) [From L. explosio, a bursting out into sound.] (Phys.) A sudden and violent expansion of an aërial or other elastic fluid, by which it instantly overcomes any obstacle that happens to be in the way, sometimes with incredible force, and in such a manner as to produce the most astonishing effects. For example, gunpowder explodes on the application of heat, by the sudden conversion of a solid into gases. It differs from mere expansion, by being sudden and violent, while the latter acts gradually and uniformly for some time. [s. 350]