Dictionary entry

Explode (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Ex‐plode″, v. t. 1. To drive from the stage by noisy expressions of disapprobation; to hoot off; to drive away or reject noisily; as, to explode a play.

Him old and young

Exploded, and seized with violent hands. Milton.

2. To bring into disrepute, and reject; to drive from notice and acceptance; as, to explode a scheme, fashion, or doctrine.

Old exploded contrivances of mercantile fraud. Burke.

To explode and exterminate dark atheism. Bently.

3. To cause to explode or burst noisily; to detonate; as, to explode powder by touching it with fire.

4. To drive out with violence and noise, as by powder.

But late the kindled powder did explode

The massy ball and the brass tube unload. Blackmore.