combustive

Variant of combustion

combustion definition

com·bus·tion (kəm bus′c̸hən)

noun

  1. the act or process of burning
  2. rapid oxidation accompanied by heat and, usually, light, as with magnesium
  3. slow oxidation accompanied by relatively little heat and no light, as with a carbohydrate
  4. violent excitement or agitation; tumult

Etymology: ME < OFr < LL combustio < L combustus, pp. of comburere (for *com-urere), to burn < com-, intens. + *burere (by faulty separation of amburere, to burn around < ambi-, ambi- + urere, to burn, singe): see ember

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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