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Adjective: explosive  ik'splow-siv or ek'splow-siv
  1. Liable to lead to sudden change or violence
    "an explosive issue";
    - volatile
     
  2. Sudden and loud
    "an explosive laugh"
     
  3. Serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst
    "an explosive device"; "explosive gas"; "explosive force"; "explosive violence"; "an explosive temper"
Noun: explosive  ik'splow-siv or ek'splow-siv
  1. A chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck

Derived forms: explosives

See also: detonative, sudden, unstable

Type of: chemical, chemical substance

Antonym: nonexplosive

Part of: explosive device

Encyclopedia: Explosive