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-blast Share: Tweet suff. 1. Biology An immature, embryonic stage in the development of cells or tissues: erythroblast. 2. Geology A crystal or mineral deposit formed in metamorphic rock: porphyroblast. [From Greek blastos, bud, germ, of unknown origin.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.

blast- Share: Tweet pref. Variant of blasto-.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.

blast (blăst) Share: Tweet n. 1. a. A very strong gust of wind or air. b. The effect of such a gust. 2. A forcible stream of air, gas, or steam from an opening, especially one in a blast furnace to aid combustion. 3. a. A sudden loud sound, especially one produced by a stream of forced air: a piercing blast from the steam whistle. b. The act of producing such a sound: gave a blast on his trumpet. 4. a. A violent explosion, as of dynamite or a bomb. b. The violent effect of such an explosion, consisting of a wave of increased atmospheric pressure followed immediately by a wave of decreased pressure. c. An explosive charge. 5. Botany Any of several plant diseases of diverse causes, resulting in sudden death of buds, flowers, foliage, or young fruits. 6. A destructive or damaging influence. 7. A powerful hit, blow, or shot. 8. A violent verbal assault or outburst: The candidate leveled a blast at her opponent. 9. Slang A highly exciting or pleasurable experience or event, such as a big party. v. blast·ed, blast·ing, blasts v. tr. 1. To knock down or shatter by explosion; smash. 2. To play or sound loudly: The amplifiers blasted the music. 3. a. To cause to move with great force; hurl: The volcanic eruption blasted rock far and wide. b. To make or open by explosion: blast a tunnel through the mountains. 4. a. To shoot or destroy by shooting: fighter jets trying to blast each other out of the sky. b. Sports To hit, kick, or shoot (a ball or puck) with great force. 5. To have a harmful or destructive effect on: a loss that blasted our hopes of making the playoffs. 6. To criticize or attack vigorously: blasted the mayor for hypocrisy. 7. To cause to shrivel, wither, or mature imperfectly by blast or blight: crops that were blasted by frost. v. intr. 1. To use or detonate explosives. 2. To emit a loud, intense sound; blare: speakers blasting at full volume. 3. To discharge a weapon, especially repeatedly; shoot: blasted away at the target. 4. To attack someone or something verbally; criticize. 5. To move with great speed or power: a motorcycle blasting down the road. 6. Electronics To distort sound recording or transmission by overloading a microphone or loudspeaker. 7. To wither or shrivel or mature imperfectly. Phrasal Verb: blast off To take off, as a rocket. Idiom: full blast At full speed, volume, or capacity: turned the radio up full blast. [Middle English, from Old English blǣst; see bhlē- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] blaster n. Synonyms: blast, blight, dash1, wither, wreck These verbs mean to have a pernicious, destructive, or ruinous effect on something: actions that blasted any chance for peace; a neighborhood blighted by poverty; ambitions dashed by lack of funds; a harsh critique that withered their enthusiasm; a life wrecked by depression.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.

# Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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