combust Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb cause to burn or combust
    burn.
    • The sun burned off the fog
    • We combust coal and other fossil fuels
  2. verb start to burn or burst into flames
    ignite; catch fire; take fire; erupt; conflagrate.
    • Marsh gases ignited suddenly
    • The oily rags combusted spontaneously
  3. verb get very angry and fly into a rage
    hit the roof; flip one's lid; have kittens; fly off the handle; go ballistic; flip one's wig; hit the ceiling; throw a fit; blow one's stack; lose one's temper; blow up; blow a fuse; have a fit.
    • The professor combusted when the student didn't know the answer to a very elementary question
    • Spam makes me go ballistic
  4. verb cause to become violent or angry
    • Riots combusted Pakistan after the U.S. air attacks on Afghanistan
  5. verb undergo combustion
    burn.
    • Maple wood burns well

WordNet

Com*bust" adjective
Etymology
L. combustus, p. p. of comburere to burn up; com- + burere (only in comp.), of uncertian origin; cf. bustum fineral pyre, prurire to itch, pruna a live coal, Gr. firebrand, Skr. plush to burn.
Definitions
  1. Burnt; consumed. Obs. Chaucer.
  2. (Astron.) So near the sun as to be obscured or eclipsed by his light, as the moon or planets when not more than eight degrees and a half from the sun. Obs.
    Planets that are oft combust. Milton.

Webster 1913