From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
burst
n 1: the act of exploding or bursting; "the explosion of the
firecrackers awoke the children"; "the burst of an atom
bomb creates enormous radiation aloft" [syn: explosion,
burst]
2: rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms; "our fusillade from
the left flank caught them by surprise" [syn: fusillade,
salvo, volley, burst]
3: a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason); "a
burst of applause"; "a fit of housecleaning" [syn: burst,
fit]
4: a sudden intense happening; "an outburst of heavy rain"; "a
burst of lightning" [syn: outburst, burst, flare-up]
v 1: come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal
pressure; "The bubble burst" [syn: burst, split, break
open]
2: force out or release suddenly and often violently something
pent up; "break into tears"; "erupt in anger" [syn: break,
burst, erupt]
3: burst outward, usually with noise; "The champagne bottle
exploded" [syn: explode, burst] [ant: go off,
implode]
4: move suddenly, energetically, or violently; "He burst out of
the house into the cool night"
5: be in a state of movement or action; "The room abounded with
screaming children"; "The garden bristled with toddlers"
[syn: abound, burst, bristle]
6: emerge suddenly; "The sun burst into view"
7: cause to burst; "The ice broke the pipe" [syn: collapse,
burst]
8: break open or apart suddenly and forcefully; "The dam burst"
[syn: burst, bust]