Imploding: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin prefix 'im-' meaning 'into' and 'plaudere', which means 'to strike' or 'to clap', referring to the action of collapsing inward.
• Initially, 'implode' was used in the early 19th century mainly to describe structures collapsing inward, contrasting with 'explode', which describes outward bursts.

Science

• In physics, implosion can happen in specific circumstances like in star formation, where a supernova causes a star to collapse under its own gravity.
• During an implosion, the pressure outside an object exceeds the pressure inside, leading to a rapid inward collapse, often seen in controlled demolitions.

Pop Culture

• In popular films, implosion is often dramatized in action scenes, featuring buildings collapsing spectacularly inward, which captivates audiences.
• The term has been used metaphorically in songs and literature to describe emotional breakdowns or personal crises.

Psychology

• In a metaphorical sense, people may experience 'psychological implosion' during overwhelming stress, leading to bouts of anxiety or panic as thoughts collapse inward.
• The concept can symbolize a loss of control, where external pressures result in a breakdown of mental resilience.

Engineering

• Implosion is used in controlled demolitions where buildings are brought down safely and efficiently by creating an inward collapse.
• Engineers use implosion principles in various applications like space capsules re-entering Earth's atmosphere, where they must withstand high pressure differences.

Ranking #37,013, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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