Imploded Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฅ
imploded
[ษชmหploสdษชd ]
Definition
science phenomenon
To implode means to collapse or cause to collapse violently inward, often used in a scientific context when discussing pressure or structural failure. This term is frequently applied in engineering, where a sudden loss of pressure can cause a structure to fall inward rather than outward, as seen in buildings during demolition or in natural occurrences like underwater caves. The term is also used figuratively in various contexts, such as in emotional or psychological discussions when describing someoneโs mental breakdown or distress.
Synonyms
caved in, collapsed, contracted, crushed.
Examples of usage
- The building imploded in a matter of seconds.
- The submarine imploded under the immense pressure of the ocean.
- He felt as if his mind was imploding from the stress.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- In physics, implosion is often used to describe the collapse of a star, leading to the formation of a black hole.
- Controlled implosion is utilized in demolition to safely bring down buildings without scattering debris.
- The pressure difference between the inside and outside can cause materials to implode under certain conditions.
Pop Culture
- The term became popular in movies during the 1990s, often depicted in action films where buildings are blown up in a dramatic fashion.
- In music, the phrase has been used in song titles and lyrics to convey feelings of personal collapse or crisis.
- A well-known documentary titled 'Imploding the Mirage' explores various scientific phenomena and societal changes.
Psychology
- Metaphorically, people use 'imploding' to describe emotional distress, indicating feelings of internal struggle or breakdown.
- The concept is often discussed in therapy, where clients may feel overwhelmed and retreat inward, similar to an implosion.
- Group dynamics can also 'implode' when conflict arises, leading to internal breakdown of communication and trust.
Technology
- In computing, the term can refer to systems or networks that fail internally due to overload or malfunction.
- In the field of explosive engineering, researchers study implosion methods for safe energy release in various applications.
- Certain types of pressure vessels are designed to withstand external forces but can implode if internal pressure suddenly drops.
Origin of 'imploded'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'implode' comes from the Latin root 'implodere', which means 'to strike or dash against'.
- It started being used in English in the early 20th century to describe the collapse of structures.
- Unlike 'explode', which means to burst outward, 'implode' specifically refers to inward collapse.
The word 'implode' originated in the early 20th century, combining the prefix 'in-' meaning 'into' with 'plode', derived from the Latin 'plodere' which means 'to explode'. The use of the term particularly gained traction within the realms of physics and engineering, as it accurately described a phenomenon that deviated from the conventional understanding of explosions. In contrast to 'explode', which indicates a violent outward burst, 'implode' focuses on an inward collapse, a critical distinction in scientific discussions. Over the decades, the term broadened to include figurative uses in psychology and everyday language, often describing scenarios where something or someone is overwhelmed by stress or pressure, akin to internal breakdowns.