(v) burst and release energy as through a violent chemical or physical reaction, Syn. explode, blow up, Example:the bomb detonated at noon; The Molotov cocktail exploded
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Detonated p. pr. & vb. n. Detonating ] [ L. detonare, v. i., to thunder down; de + tonare to thunder; akin to E. thunder. See Thunder, and cf. Detonize. ] To explode with a sudden report; as, niter detonates with sulphur. [ 1913 Webster ]