n.

1. the act of exploding or bursting something;
   explosion
   
   • the explosion of the firecrackers awoke the children
   • the burst of an atom bomb creates enormous radiation aloft
2. rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms;
   fusillade, salvo, volley
   
   • our fusillade from the left flank caught them by surprise
3. a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason);
   fit
   
   • a burst of applause
   • a fit of housecleaning
4. a sudden violent happening;
   outburst, flare-up
   
   • an outburst of heavy rain
   • a burst of lightning

v.

1. break open or apart suddenly;
   split, break open
   
   • The bubble burst
2. force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up;
   break, erupt
   
   • break into tears
   • erupt in anger
3. burst outward, usually with noise;
   explode
   
   • The champagne bottle exploded
4. move suddenly, energetically, or violently
   
   • He burst out of the house into the cool night
5. be in a state of movement or action;
   abound, bristle
   
   • The room abounded with screaming children
   • The garden bristled with toddlers
6. emerge suddenly
   
   • The sun burst into view
7. cause to burst;
   collapse
   
   • The ice broke the pipe
8. break open or apart suddenly and forcefully;
   bust
   
   • The dam burst

adj.

1. suddenly and violently broken open especially from internal pressure (`busted' is an informal term for `burst');
   ruptured, busted
   
   • a burst balloon
   • burst pipes
   • burst seams
   • a ruptured appendix
   • a busted balloon