Imploding Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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imploding
[ɪmˈploʊdɪŋ ]
Definition
physical collapse
Imploding refers to a process where an object collapses inwardly due to external pressure or the removal of internal support. This phenomenon is often contrasted with exploding, where an object bursts outward. In engineering, controlled implosions are used to bring down buildings safely. The term can also refer to systems or organizations that fail dramatically from within due to internal failures.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The old skyscraper was safely imploded last night.
- As the pressure increased, the balloon began imploding.
- The failing company was described as imploding from internal conflicts.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
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.
Origin of 'imploding'
Main points about word origin
- 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.
The term 'implode' is derived from the Latin root 'plodere', which means 'to strike'. It entered the English language in the early 20th century, with the first recorded use appearing in the 1930s. The prefix 'im-' before 'plode' suggests a movement toward the center, making it the opposite of 'explode', which means to burst outward. Over time, 'imploding' has acquired additional meanings in various contexts, including physics, engineering, and even in discussions regarding societal or organizational dynamics, representing a downfall or collapse from within.