combustion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The process of burning, in which a substance reacts with oxygen to produce heat and light.

   Combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air.

2. 2
   noun

   A state of violent excitement, tumult, or disturbance.

   The unfair ruling threw the whole crowd into combustion.

From Old French combustion, from Latin combustio, from comburere (“to burn”), itself from the intensifying prefix com- + the root burere (a faulty sep. of amburere "to burn around", itself from ambi- + urere "to burn, singe"); equivalent to combust + -ion.

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