deflagrate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb cause to burn rapidly and with great intensity
    • care must be exercised when this substance is to be deflagrated
  2. verb burn with great heat and intense light
    • the powder deflagrated

WordNet

Def"la*grate intransitive verb
Etymology
L. deflagratus, p. p. of deflagrare to burn up; de- + flagrare to flame, burn.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Deflagrated; present participle & verbal noun Deflagrating
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) To burn with a sudden and sparkling combustion, as niter; also, to snap and crackle with slight explosions when heated, as salt.
Def"la*grate transitive verb
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) To cause to burn with sudden and sparkling combustion, as by the action of intense heat; to burn or vaporize suddenly; as, to deflagrate refractory metals in the oxyhydrogen flame.

Webster 1913