Outbreak

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  outbreak \out"break`\, n.
     1. A bursting forth; eruption; insurrection; mutiny; revolt.
        "Mobs and outbreaks." --J. H. Newman.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. --Shak.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A sudden beginning of a violent event; as, the outbreak of
        hostilities between ethnic groups.
        [PJC]
  
     3. A sudden occurrence or manifestation; -- usually of
        disease or emotion, in one person or a group; as, an
        outbreak of measles among the students; he had an outbreak
        of shingles; an outbreak of nervousness in the mob.
        [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  outbreak
       n : a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some
           undesirable condition); "the outbreak of hostilities"
           [syn: {eruption}, {irruption}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  85 Moby Thesaurus words for "outbreak":
     A, alpha, beginning, belch, blast-off, blaze, burst, cascade,
     civil disorder, commencement, convulsion, creation, cutting edge,
     cyclone, dawn, debouchment, dissiliency, edge, emeute, eructation,
     eruption, establishment, explosion, fit, flare-up, flying start,
     foundation, fresh start, gale, general uprising, gush, gust,
     hurricane, institution, insurgence, insurgency, insurrection,
     irruption, jacquerie, jet, jump-off, kick-off, leading edge,
     levee en masse, mutiny, new departure, oncoming, onset, opening,
     origin, origination, outburst, outset, paroxysm, peasant revolt,
     putsch, rapids, rebellion, revolt, revolution, riot, rising,
     running start, rush, seizure, send-off, setting in motion,
     setting-up, spasm, spate, spew, spurt, square one, start,
     start-off, starting point, storm, take-off, tempest, tornado,
     torrent, upheaval, uprising, volcan, whirlwind