blast: Meaning and Definition of

blast

Pronunciation: (blast, bläst), [key]
— n.
  1. a sudden and violent gust of wind: Wintry blasts chilled us to the marrow.
  2. the blowing of a trumpet, whistle, etc.: One blast of the siren was enough to clear the street.
  3. a loud, sudden sound or noise: The radio let out an awful blast before I could turn it off.
  4. a forcible stream of air from the mouth, bellows, or the like.
    1. air forced into a furnace by a blower to increase the rate of combustion.
    2. a jet of steam directed up a smokestack, as of a steam locomotive, to increase draft.
    3. a draft thus increased.
  5. a forceful or explosive throw, hit, etc.: a blast down the third-base line.
  6. Did we have a blast last night!
    1. a party or riotously good time:Did we have a blast last night!
    2. something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment; thrill; treat:My new electronic game is a blast.
  7. a vigorous outburst of criticism; attack.
  8. See
  9. the charge of dynamite or other explosive used at one firing in blasting operations.
  10. the act of exploding; explosion: Some say the blast was in the next county.
  11. any pernicious or destructive influence, esp. on animals or plants; a blight.
  12. the sudden death of buds, flowers, or young fruit.
  13. at maximum capacity; at or with full volume or speed: The factory is going at full blast.
—v.t.
  1. to make a loud noise on; blow (a trumpet, automobile horn, etc.): He blasted his horn irritably at every car in his way.
  2. to cause to shrivel or wither; blight.
  3. to affect with any pernicious influence; ruin; destroy: Failure in the exam blasted her hopes for college. It was an indiscretion that blasted his good reputation.
  4. to break up or dislodge (a tree stump, rock, etc.): Their explosives were inadequate to blast the granite.
  5. to make, form, open up, etc., by blasting: to blast a tunnel through a mountain.
  6. to show to be false, unreliable, etc.; discredit: His facts soundly blasted the new evidence.
  7. to curse; damn (usually fol. by it or an object): Blast it, there's the phone again! Blast the time, we've got to finish this work.
  8. to censure or criticize vigorously; denounce: In his campaign speech he really blasts the other party.
  9. to hit or propel with great force: He blasted a homer that tied the game. They were blasted into outer space.
  10. to shoot: The terrorists blasted him down.
—v.i.
  1. to produce a loud, blaring sound: The trumpets blasted as the overture began. His voice blasted until the microphone was turned down.
  2. to shoot: He whipped out his revolver and started blasting.
  3. to take narcotics.
    1. (of a rocket) to leave a launch pad under its own power.
    2. (of an astronaut) to travel aloft in a rocket.

-blast

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. var. ofas final element of a compound word: ectoblast.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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