v. [f. L. ērupt- ppl. stem of ērumpĕre to break out, burst forth: see ERUMPENT. The transitive senses have been developed under the influence of the sb. ERUPTION.]
1. intr. To burst forth in the process of growth. Now only of the teeth: To break through the skin of the gums.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 223. Its roots … from which some sprigs erupt.
1878. L. P. Meredith, Teeth, 44. Sometimes the process of absorption in the roots of the temporary teeth fails to be brought about, and the permanent teeth erupt in front of or behind them.
b. trans. To force (teeth) through the gums.
1859. J. Tomes, Dental Surg., 53. The incisors and first temporary molars have been erupted.
1883. W. Whitehouse, in Standard, 25 Jan., 6/3. The four teeth stated to have been extracted never were erupted.
2. intr. Of a volcano, geyser, etc.: To break out in eruption, be in a state of eruption. (Perhaps often felt as an absol. use of 2 b.). Also of volcanic masses or showers: To burst forth.
1770. Hamilton, Soil Naples, in Phil. Trans., LXI. 12. Strabo, Dio, Vitruvius, all agree, that Vesuvius, in their time, shewed signs of having formerly erupted. Ibid. (1786), LXXVI. 379. Suppose Mount Etna to have ceased erupting for many ages.
1861. E. T. Holland, in Peaks, Passes & Glac., Ser. II. I. 10. A treatment under which this fountain can generally be made to erupt.
1866. Ansted, in Intell. Observ., No. 52. 270. The showers continued to erupt.
1879. Le Conte, Elem. Geol., 81. Volcanoes which have not been known to erupt during historic times are said to be extinct.
fig. 1881. W. Simpson, in Academy, 8 Jan., 22/5. Our modern Proteus … ‘erupts’ in an entirely new direction.
b. trans. Of a volcano, geyser, or any subterranean force: To throw out in an eruption.
1769. Hamilton, Etna, in Phil. Trans., LX. 17. I found, with respect to the matter erupted, nothing on mount Etna that Vesuvius does not produce.
1833. Lyell, Princ. Geol., III. 183. The volcanic rocks of Tuscany … have been chiefly erupted beneath the sea.
3. intr. Of a river: To burst forth.
1864. S. F. Surtees, Waifs & Strays N. Humber Hist., 86. The Don … erupts into what has evidently been a large inland lake.
Hence Erupted, Erupting ppl. a.
1769. Hamilton, Etna, in Phil. Trans., LX. 17. A much greater variety in the erupted matter and lavas.
1797. Holcroft, Stolberg’s Trav. (ed. 2), IV. xciv. 293. The erupting floods of fire.
1824. Blackw. Mag., XVI. 704. Visions of erupted embers.
1870. Proctor, Other Worlds, i. 17, note. Vomited forth by the erupting mountain.
