burst

Definition

To break from internal pressure.

Etymology

From Middle English bresten, bersten, from Old English berstan, from Proto-West Germanic *brestan, from Proto-Germanic *brestaną, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰres- (“to burst, break, crack, split, separate”), enlargement of *bʰreHi- (“to snip, split”). See also West Frisian boarste, Dutch barsten, Danish briste, Swedish brista; also Irish bris (“to break”)). More at brine. Also cognate to debris.

Example Sentences

• "I blew the balloon up too much, and it burst."
• "I burst the balloon when I blew it up too much."
• "You will not pay for the glasses you have burst?"

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