detonate
Definitions
To explode, or to cause something (a bomb, explosive) to explode
（使）爆炸；引爆
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedde- (intensive, 'down') + ton (here from Latin tonāre, 'to thunder') + -ate (verb) = 'to thunder down.' This is the thunder branch of the root, not the pitch branch. A bomb doesn't quietly burst — it detonates, going off with the rolling crack of thunder.
Root ton still carries 10 more wordsWhy It Means This
The surprise here is that detonate is built on 'thunder,' not 'tone.' Latin tonāre meant the great rumble across the sky. Picture the original image: an explosion is captured as the sound of thunder erupting on the ground. That's why the word feels so loud — it literally names the thunderclap of a blast.
Common Collocations
- 1.detonate a bomb引爆炸弹
- 2.detonate explosives引爆炸药
- 3.detonate a device引爆装置
- 4.controlled detonation受控爆破
Example Sentences
- 1.
Engineers detonated the old bridge in a controlled blast.
- 2.
The device was set to detonate at midnight.
- 3.
If the gas builds up, a single spark could detonate it.
Synonym Comparison
- detonate — set off explosively with a thunderous blast; technical/military: detonate a bomb
- explode — burst violently outward; the most general word, also figurative (explode with anger)
- blow up — informal, everyday phrasing for explode or destroy with explosives
- ignite — set on fire / start burning; about flame, not necessarily a blast
- go off — informal: (of a bomb, alarm) activate suddenly