What is "deflagrate"

Deflagrate \Def"la*grate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Deflagrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deflagrating.] [L. deflagratus, p. p. of deflagrare to burn up; de- + flagrare to flame, burn.] (Chem.) To burn with a sudden and sparkling combustion, as niter; also, to snap and crackle with slight explosions when heated, as salt.

Deflagrate \Def"la*grate\, v. t. (Chem.) To cause to burn with sudden and sparkling combustion, as by the action of intense heat; to burn or vaporize suddenly; as, to deflagrate refractory metals in the oxyhydrogen flame.

vb. (context physics English) To burn with intense light and heat. Specifically, to combust subsonically through thermal conduction.

1. v. cause to burn rapidly and with great intensity; "care must be exercised when this substance is to be deflagrated"

2. burn with great heat and intense light; "the powder deflagrated"