detonation

  1. Noun.  An explosion or sudden report made by the near-instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances as, the detonation of gun cotton. Specifically, combustion that spreads supersonically via shock compression.
  2. Noun.  Engine knocking, an improper combustion in internal combustion engines.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.