combustible

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   capable of catching fire and burning

   Paint thinner is highly combustible and must be stored away from sparks.

2. 2
   noun

   a material or substance that can burn, especially one used as fuel

   The crew removed every combustible from the area around the furnace.

3. 3
   adj

   figurative: easily excited to anger, conflict, or violent action

   The dispute became more dangerous when a combustible crowd gathered outside.

Borrowed in the early sixteenth century from French combustible, from Late Latin combustibilis, based on Latin combustus, 'burned up,' the past participle of comburere, 'to burn completely.' The figurative sense compares an excitable person or situation to material ready to ignite.

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