detonate

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin dētonō, dētonātus, which meant "to stop thundering", e.g. as in weather (dē- (“from”) + tonāre (“thunder”)). The current English meaning seems to be a new formation in postclassical times.

verb

1. (intransitive) To explode; to blow up. Specifically, to combust or decompose supersonically via shock compression.
2. (transitive) To cause to explode.
   The engineers detonated the dynamite and watched the old building collapse.
3. (intransitive, figurative) To express sudden anger.
   As Oscar turned to greet Yvonne, she could see every muscle in his body contract in anger. Then he detonated. “What the hell are you doing here without an appointment? […] 2013, Michael J. Restrepo, The Custody Officer, page 116