Dictionary![]() ![]() blastPronunciation: (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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Slang.to take narcotics. 4. 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. -blastvar. of blasto- as final element of a compound word: ectoblast. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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