n. 1. The process of burning. 2. A heat-producing chemical reaction in which a fuel combines with oxygen or with some other substance that behaves chemically like oxygen. 3. Violent anger or agitation: Combustion within the populace slowly built up to the point of revolution. [Middle English, from Late Latin combustiō, combustiōn-, from Latin combustus, past participle of combūrere, to burn up, blend of com-, intensive pref.; see COM- and ambūrere, to burn around (amb-, ambi-, ambi- + ūrere, to burn).] com·bustive (-tĭv) adj. |
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