blast

—blaster, n. —blasty, adj.

/blast, blahst/, 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.

5. Mach.

a. air forced into a furnace by a blower to increase the rate of combustion.

b. a jet of steam directed up a smokestack, as of a steam locomotive, to increase draft.

c. a draft thus increased.

6. a forceful or explosive throw, hit, etc.: a blast down the third-base line.

7. Slang.

a. a party or riotously good time: Did we have a blast last night!

b. something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment; thrill; treat: My new electronic game is a blast.

8. a vigorous outburst of criticism; attack.

9. See blast wave.

10. Mining, Civ. Engin. the charge of dynamite or other explosive used at one firing in blasting operations.

11. the act of exploding; explosion: Some say the blast was in the next county.

12. any pernicious or destructive influence, esp. on animals or plants; a blight.

13. the sudden death of buds, flowers, or young fruit.

14. at full blast, at maximum capacity; at or with full volume or speed: The factory is going at full blast. Also, full blast.

v.t.

15. to make a loud noise on; blow (a trumpet, automobile horn, etc.): He blasted his horn irritably at every car in his way.

16. to cause to shrivel or wither; blight.

17. 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.

18. to break up or dislodge (a tree stump, rock, etc.): Their explosives were inadequate to blast the granite.

19. to make, form, open up, etc., by blasting: to blast a tunnel through a mountain.

20. to show to be false, unreliable, etc.; discredit: His facts soundly blasted the new evidence.

21. Informal. 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.

22. to censure or criticize vigorously; denounce: In his campaign speech he really blasts the other party.

23. to hit or propel with great force: He blasted a homer that tied the game. They were blasted into outer space.

24. to shoot: The terrorists blasted him down.

v.i.

25. to produce a loud, blaring sound: The trumpets blasted as the overture began. His voice blasted until the microphone was turned down.

26. to shoot: He whipped out his revolver and started blasting.

27. Slang. to take narcotics.

28. blast off,

a. (of a rocket) to leave a launch pad under its own power.

b. (of an astronaut) to travel aloft in a rocket.

[bef. 1000; 1955-60 for def. 7a; ME (n. and v.); OE blaest (n.) a blowing; akin to ON blastr, OHG blast (deriv. of blasan, c. Goth ufblesan, ON blasa). See BLOW²]

Syn. 1. squall, gale, blow, storm. See wind¹. 2. blare, screech. 11. discharge, outburst. 17. annihilate.

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