outburst

Definition

A sudden, often violent expression of emotion or activity.

Etymology

From Middle English outbersten, outbresten. Cognate with Dutch uitbarsten (“to erupt; burst out”), German ausbersten (“to burst out; erupt”). By surface analysis, out- + burst.

Example Sentences

• "The man greeted us with an outburst of invective."
• "an outburst of anger"